diff --git a/pkgs/development/python-modules/pybind11/default.nix b/pkgs/development/python-modules/pybind11/default.nix
index 94a25b2858e..2df360dfaab 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/python-modules/pybind11/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/python-modules/pybind11/default.nix
@@ -23,7 +23,8 @@ buildPythonPackage rec {
 
   dontUseCmakeConfigure = true;
 
-  checkInputs = [ pytest cmake ]
+  nativeBuildInputs = [ cmake ];
+  checkInputs = [ pytest ]
     ++ (lib.optional (numpy != null) numpy)
     ++ (lib.optional (eigen != null) eigen)
     ++ (lib.optional (scipy != null) scipy);
@@ -32,6 +33,11 @@ buildPythonPackage rec {
     make -j $NIX_BUILD_CORES pytest
   '';
 
+  # re-expose the headers to other packages
+  postInstall = ''
+    ln -s $out/include/python${python.pythonVersion}m/pybind11/ $out/include/pybind11
+  '';
+
   meta = {
     homepage = https://github.com/pybind/pybind11;
     description = "Seamless operability between C++11 and Python";