diff --git a/pkgs/development/tools/documentation/gtk-doc/default.nix b/pkgs/development/tools/documentation/gtk-doc/default.nix
index e74a6b9c3c6..55fd0feff10 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/tools/documentation/gtk-doc/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/tools/documentation/gtk-doc/default.nix
@@ -32,6 +32,13 @@ python3.pkgs.buildPythonApplication rec {
     passthru.respect_xml_catalog_files_var_patch
   ];
 
+  strictDeps = true;
+
+  depsBuildBuild = [
+    python3
+    pkg-config
+  ];
+
   nativeBuildInputs = [
     pkg-config
     gettext