diff --git a/pkgs/development/python-modules/mmcv/default.nix b/pkgs/development/python-modules/mmcv/default.nix
index 86e79643b341..4bfbb8e3e8ae 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/python-modules/mmcv/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/python-modules/mmcv/default.nix
@@ -12,6 +12,9 @@
   pybind11,
   torch,
 
+  # build-system
+  setuptools_80,
+
   # dependencies
   addict,
   mmengine,
@@ -80,6 +83,10 @@ buildPythonPackage (finalAttrs: {
     ]
   );
 
+  # https://github.com/open-mmlab/mmengine/issues/1616
+  # also applies here
+  build-system = [ setuptools_80 ];
+
   dependencies = [
     addict
     mmengine