diff --git a/pkgs/development/libraries/aspell/default.nix b/pkgs/development/libraries/aspell/default.nix
index ad0f910dcbf6..2dcf80ec30df 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/libraries/aspell/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/libraries/aspell/default.nix
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     patch interfaces/cc/aspell.h < ${./clang.patch}
   '';
 
+  nativeBuildInputs = [ perl ];
   buildInputs = [ perl ];
 
   doCheck = true;