diff --git a/pkgs/development/python-modules/exdown/default.nix b/pkgs/development/python-modules/exdown/default.nix
index d369b3645ab6..f7b4a38ee476 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/python-modules/exdown/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/python-modules/exdown/default.nix
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 , isPy27
 , fetchPypi
 , pythonOlder
+, setuptools
 , importlib-metadata
 , pytestCheckHook
 }:
@@ -19,6 +20,10 @@ buildPythonPackage rec {
     sha256 = "sha256-r0SCigkUpOiba4MDf80+dLjOjjruVNILh/raWfvjXA0=";
   };
 
+  nativeBuildInputs = [
+    setuptools
+  ];
+
   propagatedBuildInputs = lib.optionals (pythonOlder "3.8") [ importlib-metadata ];
 
   checkInputs = [