diff --git a/pkgs/os-specific/linux/libcap/progs.nix b/pkgs/os-specific/linux/libcap/progs.nix
index 9b2a8b69c3ca..ae4446c82e6c 100644
--- a/pkgs/os-specific/linux/libcap/progs.nix
+++ b/pkgs/os-specific/linux/libcap/progs.nix
@@ -10,8 +10,11 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   buildInputs = [ libcap ];
 
   prePatch = ''
-    BASH=$(type -tp bash)
-    substituteInPlace progs/capsh.c --replace "/bin/bash" "$BASH"
+    # use relative bash path
+    substituteInPlace progs/capsh.c --replace "/bin/bash" "bash"
+
+    # ensure capsh can find bash in $PATH
+    substituteInPlace progs/capsh.c --replace execve execvpe
   '';
 
   preConfigure = "cd progs";