diff --git a/pkgs/development/python-modules/nats-python/default.nix b/pkgs/development/python-modules/nats-python/default.nix
index 5bf5b2a6d21c..9662dddd5ddb 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/python-modules/nats-python/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/python-modules/nats-python/default.nix
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 , fetchpatch
 , poetry-core
 , pythonOlder
+, setuptools
 }:
 
 buildPythonPackage rec {
@@ -32,6 +33,10 @@ buildPythonPackage rec {
     })
   ];
 
+  propagatedBuildInputs = [
+    setuptools
+  ];
+
   # Tests require a running NATS server
   doCheck = false;