diff --git a/devel/py-dill/Makefile b/devel/py-dill/Makefile
index 37cdc8838be0..59bb839ba1df 100644
--- a/devel/py-dill/Makefile
+++ b/devel/py-dill/Makefile
@@ -11,7 +11,8 @@ WWW=		https://dill.readthedocs.io/en/latest/
 LICENSE=	BSD3CLAUSE
 LICENSE_FILE=	${WRKSRC}/LICENSE
 
-BUILD_DEPENDS=	${PYTHON_PKGNAMEPREFIX}wheel>0:devel/py-wheel@${PY_FLAVOR}
+BUILD_DEPENDS=	${PY_SETUPTOOLS} \
+		${PYTHON_PKGNAMEPREFIX}wheel>0:devel/py-wheel@${PY_FLAVOR}
 
 USES=		python:3.7+
 USE_PYTHON=	pep517 concurrent autoplist pytest # tests fail, see https://github.com/uqfoundation/dill/issues/578