diff --git a/.bazelrc b/.bazelrc
index 45da579b7c1d..33a54aaa2e67 100644
--- a/.bazelrc
+++ b/.bazelrc
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ build --custom_malloc=//bazel/malloc:tcmalloc_if_linux_opt
 # optimized or other build configurations. Note that ASan and TCMalloc are
 # incompatible so this explicitly forces the system malloc.
 build:asan --features=asan
-build:asan --custom_malloc=//bazel/malloc:system_malloc
+build:asan --custom_malloc=@bazel_tools//tools/cpp:malloc
 
 # Configuration for enabling LibFuzzer (along with ASan).
 build:fuzzer --features=fuzzer
diff --git a/bazel/malloc/BUILD b/bazel/malloc/BUILD
index 2d6d519037d9..b404ee5fafdf 100644
--- a/bazel/malloc/BUILD
+++ b/bazel/malloc/BUILD
@@ -23,17 +23,12 @@ selects.config_setting_group(
     ],
 )
 
-# A placeholder empty library that can be used as a `malloc` attribute or with
-# the `--custom_malloc` bazel flag to have no custom malloc and use the system
-# malloc instead.
-cc_library(name = "system_malloc")
-
 # A library that enables TCMalloc for optimized builds on Linux. On other
 # platforms and configurations, this falls back on the system malloc.
 cc_library(
     name = "tcmalloc_if_linux_opt",
     deps = select({
         ":linux_opt": ["@tcmalloc//tcmalloc"],
-        "//conditions:default": [":system_malloc"],
+        "//conditions:default": ["@bazel_tools//tools/cpp:malloc"],
     }),
 )