diff --git a/pkgs/development/python-modules/googleapis-common-protos/default.nix b/pkgs/development/python-modules/googleapis-common-protos/default.nix
index 84ecd257c30b..30d7dba4512a 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/python-modules/googleapis-common-protos/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/python-modules/googleapis-common-protos/default.nix
@@ -24,6 +24,10 @@ buildPythonPackage rec {
 
   build-system = [ setuptools ];
 
+  pythonRelaxDeps = [
+    "protobuf"
+  ];
+
   dependencies = [
     grpc
     protobuf