diff --git a/pkgs/development/tools/devpi-client/default.nix b/pkgs/development/tools/devpi-client/default.nix
index 8f103fd62861..96d7ec5e50b4 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/tools/devpi-client/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/tools/devpi-client/default.nix
@@ -9,8 +9,7 @@
 python3.pkgs.buildPythonApplication rec {
   pname = "devpi-client";
   version = "6.0.3";
-
-  format = "setuptools";
+  pyproject = true;
 
   src = fetchPypi {
     inherit pname version;
@@ -22,6 +21,10 @@ python3.pkgs.buildPythonApplication rec {
       --replace "--flake8" ""
   '';
 
+  nativeBuildInputs = [
+    python3.pkgs.setuptools
+  ];
+
   buildInputs = [
     glibcLocales
   ];
@@ -67,6 +70,10 @@ python3.pkgs.buildPythonApplication rec {
 
   __darwinAllowLocalNetworking = true;
 
+  pythonImportsCheck = [
+    "devpi"
+  ];
+
   meta = with lib; {
     description = "Client for devpi, a pypi index server and packaging meta tool";
     homepage = "http://doc.devpi.net";