diff --git a/pkgs/development/python-modules/doc8/default.nix b/pkgs/development/python-modules/doc8/default.nix
index bd47412044f6..68c9377d3bff 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/python-modules/doc8/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/python-modules/doc8/default.nix
@@ -53,6 +53,8 @@ buildPythonPackage rec {
 
   nativeCheckInputs = [ pytestCheckHook ];
 
+  pythonRelaxDeps = [ "docutils" ];
+
   pythonImportsCheck = [ "doc8" ];
 
   meta = with lib; {