diff --git a/pkgs/development/python-modules/curtsies/default.nix b/pkgs/development/python-modules/curtsies/default.nix
index 4a17769e18e8..2dd039f00ee2 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/python-modules/curtsies/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/python-modules/curtsies/default.nix
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 , pyte
 , pytestCheckHook
 , pythonOlder
+, setuptools
 }:
 
 buildPythonPackage rec {
@@ -22,6 +23,10 @@ buildPythonPackage rec {
     hash = "sha256-br4zIVvXyShRpQYEnHIMykz1wZLBZlwdepigTEcCdg4=";
   };
 
+  nativeBuildInputs = [
+    setuptools
+  ];
+
   propagatedBuildInputs = [
     blessed
     cwcwidth