diff --git a/pkgs/development/compilers/gcc/common/pre-configure.nix b/pkgs/development/compilers/gcc/common/pre-configure.nix
index fff490148007..e4a7cfb4287c 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/compilers/gcc/common/pre-configure.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/compilers/gcc/common/pre-configure.nix
@@ -49,3 +49,11 @@ lib.optionalString (hostPlatform.isSunOS && hostPlatform.is64bit) ''
 + lib.optionalString (hostPlatform.isDarwin) ''
   export ac_cv_func_aligned_alloc=no
 ''
+
+# In order to properly install on macOS Catalina, strip(1) upon
+# installation must not remove external symbols, otherwise the install
+# step errors with "symbols referenced by indirect symbol table
+# entries that can't be stripped".
++ lib.optionalString (hostPlatform.isDarwin) ''
+  export STRIP='strip -x'
+''