diff --git a/pkgs/top-level/all-packages.nix b/pkgs/top-level/all-packages.nix
index 911279a90b8..802904b1903 100644
--- a/pkgs/top-level/all-packages.nix
+++ b/pkgs/top-level/all-packages.nix
@@ -1922,9 +1922,6 @@ let
 
   gcc46_real = lowPrio (wrapGCC (callPackage ../development/compilers/gcc-4.6 {
     inherit noSysDirs;
-    cross = null;
-    libcCross = null;
-    binutilsCross = null;
 
     ppl = ppl0_11;
     cloogppl = null;
@@ -1932,6 +1929,16 @@ let
     # bootstrapping a profiled compiler does not work in the sheevaplug:
     # http://gcc.gnu.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=43944
     profiledCompiler = if stdenv.system == "armv5tel-linux" then false else true;
+
+    # When building `gcc.hostDrv' (a "Canadian cross", with host == target
+    # and host != build), `cross' must be null but the cross-libc must still
+    # be passed.
+    cross = null;
+    libcCross = if crossSystem != null then libcCross else null;
+    libpthreadCross =
+      if crossSystem != null && crossSystem.config == "i586-pc-gnu"
+      then gnu.libpthreadCross
+      else null;
   }));
 
   # A non-stripped version of GCC.