diff --git a/gnu/packages/commencement.scm b/gnu/packages/commencement.scm
index 33b957adfe..92766de6e7 100644
--- a/gnu/packages/commencement.scm
+++ b/gnu/packages/commencement.scm
@@ -637,7 +637,8 @@ (define gettext-boot0
                   ;; Build only the tools.
                   (add-after 'unpack 'chdir
                              (lambda _
-                               (chdir "gettext-tools")))
+                               (chdir "gettext-tools")
+                               #t))
 
                   ;; Some test programs require pthreads, which we don't have.
                   (add-before 'configure 'no-test-programs