diff --git a/pkgs/development/python-modules/meshio/default.nix b/pkgs/development/python-modules/meshio/default.nix
index 1df5a7f47807..2e8d4044ce3b 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/python-modules/meshio/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/python-modules/meshio/default.nix
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 , exdown
 , pytestCheckHook
 , rich
+, setuptools
 }:
 
 buildPythonPackage rec {
@@ -19,6 +20,10 @@ buildPythonPackage rec {
     sha256 = "sha256-4kBpLX/yecErE8bl17QDYpqGrStE6SMJWLPwDB7DafA=";
   };
 
+  nativeBuildInputs = [
+    setuptools
+  ];
+
   propagatedBuildInputs = [
     numpy
     netcdf4