diff --git a/pkgs/development/em-modules/generic/default.nix b/pkgs/development/em-modules/generic/default.nix
index a85972029416..2f8d7d878a8e 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/em-modules/generic/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/em-modules/generic/default.nix
@@ -18,6 +18,9 @@ pkgs.stdenv.mkDerivation (
   # fake conftest results with emscripten's python magic
   EMCONFIGURE_JS=2;
 
+  # removes archive indices
+  dontStrip = args.dontStrip or true;
+
   configurePhase = args.configurePhase or ''
     # FIXME: Some tests require writing at $HOME
     HOME=$TMPDIR