diff --git a/pkgs/development/interpreters/python/default.nix b/pkgs/development/interpreters/python/default.nix
index 0859e42d4e5..996da509952 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/interpreters/python/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/interpreters/python/default.nix
@@ -12,4 +12,5 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation {
     (if zlibSupport then zlib else null)
   ];
   inherit zlibSupport;
+  configureFlags = "--enable-shared";
 }