diff --git a/pkgs/development/python-modules/btrees/default.nix b/pkgs/development/python-modules/btrees/default.nix
index 7cb10d96f905..7bfad0d4f5e2 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/python-modules/btrees/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/python-modules/btrees/default.nix
@@ -5,7 +5,8 @@ buildPythonPackage rec {
   version = "4.4.1";
   name = "${pname}-${version}";
 
-  propagatedBuildInputs = [ persistent zope_interface transaction ];
+  buildInputs = [ transaction ];
+  propagatedBuildInputs = [ persistent zope_interface ];
 
   src = fetchPypi {
     inherit pname version;