diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/binder/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/binder/package.py
index bd39c0b557f..f853b96ebba 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/binder/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/binder/package.py
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ class Binder(CMakePackage):
     version("1.1.0", tag="v1.0.0", commit="3de7949343197295250f988716d511a264b21324")
     version("1.0.0", tag="v1.0.0", commit="3de7949343197295250f988716d511a264b21324")
 
+    depends_on("c", type="build")
     depends_on("cxx", type="build")  # generated
 
     # Add dependencies