diff --git a/pkgs/by-name/hd/hdf4/package.nix b/pkgs/by-name/hd/hdf4/package.nix
index a61bcc3a0ea7..8a058c922244 100644
--- a/pkgs/by-name/hd/hdf4/package.nix
+++ b/pkgs/by-name/hd/hdf4/package.nix
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
   fetchurl,
   fixDarwinDylibNames,
   cmake,
+  ninja,
   libjpeg,
   uselibtirpc ? stdenv.hostPlatform.isLinux,
   libtirpc,
@@ -30,6 +31,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation (finalAttrs: {
   nativeBuildInputs =
     [
       cmake
+      ninja
     ]
     ++ lib.optionals stdenv.hostPlatform.isDarwin [
       fixDarwinDylibNames