diff --git a/pkgs/development/python-modules/sphinx/default.nix b/pkgs/development/python-modules/sphinx/default.nix
index b0733c1289e5..bd67cc2959d4 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/python-modules/sphinx/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/python-modules/sphinx/default.nix
@@ -83,6 +83,8 @@ buildPythonPackage rec {
     sphinxcontrib-websupport
   ];
 
+  pythonRelaxDeps = [ "docutils" ];
+
   __darwinAllowLocalNetworking = true;
 
   nativeCheckInputs = [