diff --git a/pkgs/development/python-modules/urwid/default.nix b/pkgs/development/python-modules/urwid/default.nix
index 123ab73b752..8e255dc69dc 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/python-modules/urwid/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/python-modules/urwid/default.nix
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-{ stdenv, buildPythonPackage, fetchPypi }:
+{ stdenv, buildPythonPackage, fetchPypi, glibcLocales }:
 
 buildPythonPackage rec {
   pname = "urwid";
@@ -9,6 +9,10 @@ buildPythonPackage rec {
     sha256 = "0896f36060beb6bf3801cb554303fef336a79661401797551ba106d23ab4cd86";
   };
 
+  # tests need to be able to set locale
+  LC_ALL = "en_US.UTF-8";
+  checkInputs = [ glibcLocales ];
+
   meta = with stdenv.lib; {
     description = "A full-featured console (xterm et al.) user interface library";
     homepage = http://excess.org/urwid;