diff --git a/pkgs/development/python-modules/simpleitk/default.nix b/pkgs/development/python-modules/simpleitk/default.nix
index a8503a1197f2..18b4ad91ec34 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/python-modules/simpleitk/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/python-modules/simpleitk/default.nix
@@ -28,6 +28,11 @@ buildPythonPackage rec {
     swig
     scikit-build
   ];
+
+  cmakeFlags = [
+    "-DSimpleITK_BUILD_DISTRIBUTE=ON"
+  ];
+
   propagatedBuildInputs = [
     elastix
     itk