diff --git a/pkgs/tools/networking/dnscrypt-proxy/default.nix b/pkgs/tools/networking/dnscrypt-proxy/default.nix
index 11dadf9dcd8..9d86f648470 100644
--- a/pkgs/tools/networking/dnscrypt-proxy/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/tools/networking/dnscrypt-proxy/default.nix
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-{ stdenv, fetchurl, libsodium }:
+{ stdenv, fetchurl, libsodium, pkgconfig, systemd }:
 
 stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   name = "dnscrypt-proxy-1.4.3";
@@ -8,7 +8,11 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     sha256 = "0cij80ryxnikpmm6s79c2fqg6bdiz1wdy50xrnd7w954vw9mhr0b";
   };
 
-  buildInputs = [ libsodium ];
+  configureFlags = ''
+    ${stdenv.lib.optionalString stdenv.isLinux "--with-systemd"}
+  '';
+
+  buildInputs = [ pkgconfig libsodium ] ++ stdenv.lib.optional stdenv.isLinux systemd;
 
   meta = {
     description = "A tool for securing communications between a client and a DNS resolver";