diff --git a/pkgs/top-level/python-packages.nix b/pkgs/top-level/python-packages.nix
index db2e40fe3604..b9f8ec159365 100644
--- a/pkgs/top-level/python-packages.nix
+++ b/pkgs/top-level/python-packages.nix
@@ -3528,7 +3528,7 @@ self: super: with self; {
 
   fenics = callPackage ../development/python-modules/fenics {
     hdf5 = pkgs.hdf5_1_10;
-    boost = pkgs.boost169;
+    boost = pkgs.boost172;
   };
 
   ffcv = callPackage ../development/python-modules/ffcv { };