diff --git a/dev-python/jupyter_client/jupyter_client-5.3.4.ebuild b/dev-python/jupyter_client/jupyter_client-5.3.4.ebuild
index d15d23de24b80..a87a235485b44 100644
--- a/dev-python/jupyter_client/jupyter_client-5.3.4.ebuild
+++ b/dev-python/jupyter_client/jupyter_client-5.3.4.ebuild
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ EAPI=7
 
 PYTHON_COMPAT=( python3_{6,7} )
 PYTHON_REQ_USE="threads(+)"
+DISTUTILS_USE_SETUPTOOLS=rdepend
 
 inherit distutils-r1