diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/vcftools/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/vcftools/package.py
index 042b9febd9a..e533200232f 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/vcftools/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/vcftools/package.py
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ class Vcftools(AutotoolsPackage):
 
     depends_on("perl", type=("build", "run"))
     depends_on("zlib-api")
+    depends_on("pkgconfig")
 
     # this needs to be in sync with what setup_run_environment adds to
     # PERL5LIB below