diff --git a/gnu/packages/admin.scm b/gnu/packages/admin.scm
index 8dc6a4f303..a7502cf5db 100644
--- a/gnu/packages/admin.scm
+++ b/gnu/packages/admin.scm
@@ -702,6 +702,7 @@ (define-public shadow
        '(,@(if (hurd-target?)
              '()
              '("--with-libpam"))
+          "shadow_cv_logdir=/var/log"
           "ac_cv_func_setpgrp_void=yes")
 
        #:phases