diff --git a/pkgs/development/python-modules/matplotlib/default.nix b/pkgs/development/python-modules/matplotlib/default.nix
index b35d6ec4a0a2..f063db1518ec 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/python-modules/matplotlib/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/python-modules/matplotlib/default.nix
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 # build-system
 , pkg-config
 , pybind11
+, setuptools
 , setuptools-scm
 
 # native libraries
@@ -115,6 +116,7 @@ buildPythonPackage rec {
   nativeBuildInputs = [
     pkg-config
     pybind11
+    setuptools
     setuptools-scm
     numpy
   ];