diff --git a/package/python-pexpect/python-pexpect.mk b/package/python-pexpect/python-pexpect.mk
index 3efda26825..d230b11338 100644
--- a/package/python-pexpect/python-pexpect.mk
+++ b/package/python-pexpect/python-pexpect.mk
@@ -9,6 +9,6 @@ PYTHON_PEXPECT_SOURCE = pexpect-$(PYTHON_PEXPECT_VERSION).tar.gz
 PYTHON_PEXPECT_SITE = https://files.pythonhosted.org/packages/e5/9b/ff402e0e930e70467a7178abb7c128709a30dfb22d8777c043e501bc1b10
 PYTHON_PEXPECT_LICENSE = ISC
 PYTHON_PEXPECT_LICENSE_FILES = LICENSE
-PYTHON_PEXPECT_SETUP_TYPE = distutils
+PYTHON_PEXPECT_SETUP_TYPE = setuptools
 
 $(eval $(python-package))