diff --git a/pandoc.cabal b/pandoc.cabal
index 7db8f1196..180751d4d 100644
--- a/pandoc.cabal
+++ b/pandoc.cabal
@@ -683,6 +683,9 @@ executable pandoc
      build-depends:  base-compat >= 0.9
   if flag(static)
     ld-options:     -static
+    -- fully static builds are not possible on macos:
+    if os(darwin)
+      buildable:    False
   default-language: Haskell2010
   other-extensions: NoImplicitPrelude
   hs-source-dirs:  .