diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/emacs/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/emacs/package.py
index 21b6b1b17b4..e654e9c9c7c 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/emacs/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/emacs/package.py
@@ -24,6 +24,8 @@
 ##############################################################################
 from spack import *
 
+import sys
+
 
 class Emacs(AutotoolsPackage):
     """The Emacs programmable text editor."""
@@ -72,4 +74,9 @@ def configure_args(self):
         else:
             args = ['--without-x']
 
+        # On OS X/macOS, do not build "nextstep/Emacs.app", because
+        # doing so throws an error at build-time
+        if sys.platform == 'darwin':
+            args.append('--without-ns')
+
         return args