diff --git a/pkgs/development/python-modules/cx-freeze/default.nix b/pkgs/development/python-modules/cx-freeze/default.nix
index 161bd77a5c76..8cf70c8e532c 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/python-modules/cx-freeze/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/python-modules/cx-freeze/default.nix
@@ -55,6 +55,8 @@ buildPythonPackage rec {
 
   buildInputs = [ ncurses ];
 
+  pythonRelaxDeps = [ "setuptools" ];
+
   pythonRemoveDeps = [ "patchelf" ];
 
   dependencies =