diff --git a/shell.nix b/shell.nix
index 696d261b..a2c2275a 100644
--- a/shell.nix
+++ b/shell.nix
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ pkgs.mkShell {
     export GOPATH=$(pwd)/nix/.go
     export TMPDIR=$(pwd)/nix/.tmp
     export PATH=$GOPATH/bin:$PATH
-    go install sigs.k8s.io/controller-tools/cmd/controller-gen@v0.4.0
     mkdir -p "$TMPDIR"
+    go install sigs.k8s.io/controller-tools/cmd/controller-gen@v0.4.0
   '';
 }