diff --git a/pkgs/development/python-modules/reportlab/default.nix b/pkgs/development/python-modules/reportlab/default.nix
index 9890eb98f834..460adce799ab 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/python-modules/reportlab/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/python-modules/reportlab/default.nix
@@ -25,7 +25,8 @@ in buildPythonPackage rec {
 
   nativeCheckInputs = [ glibcLocales ];
 
-  buildInputs = [ ft pillow ];
+  buildInputs = [ ft ];
+  propagatedBuildInputs = [ pillow ];
 
   postPatch = ''
     substituteInPlace setup.py \