diff --git a/nix/bazelrc b/.bazelrc
similarity index 100%
rename from nix/bazelrc
rename to .bazelrc
diff --git a/build.ps1 b/build.ps1
index a7fc96b1a4e..28a7a7bd986 100644
--- a/build.ps1
+++ b/build.ps1
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ function bazel() {
     $global:lastexitcode = 0
     $backupErrorActionPreference = $script:ErrorActionPreference
     $script:ErrorActionPreference = "Continue"
-    & bazel.exe --bazelrc=.\nix\bazelrc @args 2>&1 | %{ "$_" }
+    & bazel.exe @args 2>&1 | %{ "$_" }
     $script:ErrorActionPreference = $backupErrorActionPreference
     if ($global:lastexitcode -ne 0 -And $args[0] -ne "shutdown") {
         Write-Output "<< bazel $args (failed, exit code: $global:lastexitcode)"
diff --git a/nix/packages.nix b/nix/packages.nix
index 44d302a0191..0299c61be94 100644
--- a/nix/packages.nix
+++ b/nix/packages.nix
@@ -193,6 +193,8 @@ in rec {
 
     # Build tools
 
+    # wrap the .bazelrc to automate the configuration of
+    # `build --config <kernel>`
     bazelrc =
       let
         kernel =
@@ -202,7 +204,6 @@ in rec {
       in
         pkgs.writeText "daml-bazelrc" ''
           build --config ${kernel}
-          ${builtins.readFile ./bazelrc}
         '';
 
     bazel = pkgs.writeScriptBin "bazel" (''