diff --git a/package/python-uvloop/python-uvloop.mk b/package/python-uvloop/python-uvloop.mk
index d9932b931d..8dbe3b36d9 100644
--- a/package/python-uvloop/python-uvloop.mk
+++ b/package/python-uvloop/python-uvloop.mk
@@ -10,8 +10,15 @@ PYTHON_UVLOOP_SITE = https://files.pythonhosted.org/packages/e3/15/dc3276384f436
 PYTHON_UVLOOP_SETUP_TYPE = setuptools
 PYTHON_UVLOOP_LICENSE = Apache-2.0, MIT
 PYTHON_UVLOOP_LICENSE_FILES = LICENSE-APACHE LICENSE-MIT
-PYTHON_UVLOOP_BUILD_OPTS = build_ext --inplace --use-system-libuv
-PYTHON_UVLOOP_INSTALL_TARGET_OPTS = build_ext --inplace --use-system-libuv
-PYTHON_UVLOOP_DEPENDENCIES = libuv
+PYTHON_UVLOOP_BUILD_OPTS = build_ext --inplace --cython-always --use-system-libuv
+PYTHON_UVLOOP_INSTALL_TARGET_OPTS = build_ext --inplace --cython-always --use-system-libuv
+PYTHON_UVLOOP_DEPENDENCIES = libuv host-python-cython
+
+# force regenerating loop.c with cython. can be removed with the next
+# uvloop version bump
+define PYTHON_UVLOOP_FORCE_REGEN_LOOPC
+	$(RM) $(@D)/uvloop/loop.c
+endef
+PYTHON_UVLOOP_PRE_BUILD_HOOKS += PYTHON_UVLOOP_FORCE_REGEN_LOOPC
 
 $(eval $(python-package))