diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/kim-api/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/kim-api/package.py
index 0273fc2d6ca..812b4f39e46 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/kim-api/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/kim-api/package.py
@@ -49,3 +49,7 @@ def patch(self):
             filter_file(
                 "-std=gnu", "", "examples/simulators/simulator-model-example/CMakeLists.txt"
             )
+
+    def cmake_args(self):
+        args = [self.define("CMAKE_INSTALL_SYSCONFDIR", self.prefix.etc)]
+        return args