diff --git a/package/botan/botan.mk b/package/botan/botan.mk
index b26ee4c66e..b0ebe594b1 100644
--- a/package/botan/botan.mk
+++ b/package/botan/botan.mk
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ BOTAN_CPE_ID_VENDOR = botan_project
 
 BOTAN_INSTALL_STAGING = YES
 
+BOTAN_DEPENDENCIES = host-python3
 BOTAN_CONF_OPTS = \
 	--cpu=$(BR2_ARCH) \
 	--disable-cc-tests \