diff --git a/pkgs/development/python-modules/numba/default.nix b/pkgs/development/python-modules/numba/default.nix
index aa08ead2d97..0203a70a597 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/python-modules/numba/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/python-modules/numba/default.nix
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 , isPy3k
 , numpy
 , llvmlite
+, setuptools
 , funcsigs
 , singledispatch
 , libcxx
@@ -26,7 +27,7 @@ buildPythonPackage rec {
 
   NIX_CFLAGS_COMPILE = lib.optionalString stdenv.isDarwin "-I${libcxx}/include/c++/v1";
 
-  propagatedBuildInputs = [numpy llvmlite]
+  propagatedBuildInputs = [numpy llvmlite setuptools]
     ++ lib.optionals isPy27 [ funcsigs singledispatch];
 
   # Copy test script into $out and run the test suite.