diff --git a/pkgs/tools/backup/zbackup/default.nix b/pkgs/tools/backup/zbackup/default.nix
index ee5cc6fd89e..9b618ccec50 100644
--- a/pkgs/tools/backup/zbackup/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/tools/backup/zbackup/default.nix
@@ -20,6 +20,10 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     ./protobuf-api-change.patch
   ];
 
+  # zbackup uses dynamic exception specifications which are not
+  # allowed in C++17
+  NIX_CFLAGS_COMPILE = [ "--std=c++14" ];
+
   buildInputs = [ zlib openssl protobuf lzo libunwind ];
   nativeBuildInputs = [ cmake protobufc ];