diff --git a/pkgs/top-level/python-packages.nix b/pkgs/top-level/python-packages.nix
index 97f79692e58..6cb1ad5df16 100644
--- a/pkgs/top-level/python-packages.nix
+++ b/pkgs/top-level/python-packages.nix
@@ -15478,7 +15478,7 @@ in modules // {
 
 
   reportlab =
-   let freetype = overrideDerivation pkgs.freetype (args: { configureFlags = "--enable-static --enable-shared"; });
+   let freetype = overrideDerivation pkgs.freetype (args: { dontDisableStatic = true; });
    in buildPythonPackage rec {
     name = "reportlab-3.2.0";