diff --git a/pkgs/applications/misc/kitty/default.nix b/pkgs/applications/misc/kitty/default.nix
index db8ef0043830..e87d09b50ccf 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/misc/kitty/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/misc/kitty/default.nix
@@ -79,9 +79,9 @@ buildPythonApplication rec {
   '';
 
   buildPhase = if stdenv.isDarwin then ''
-    make app
+    ${python.interpreter} setup.py kitty.app --update-check-interval=0
   '' else ''
-    ${python.interpreter} setup.py linux-package
+    ${python.interpreter} setup.py linux-package --update-check-interval=0
   '';
 
   installPhase = ''