diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/libjwt/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/libjwt/package.py
index 40d6def0225..4e7aca5efb9 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/libjwt/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/libjwt/package.py
@@ -21,4 +21,6 @@ class Libjwt(AutotoolsPackage):
     depends_on('automake', type='build')
     depends_on('libtool', type='build')
     depends_on('m4', type='build')
+    # Needs openssl at runtime to ensure we can generate keys
+    depends_on('openssl', type=('build', 'run'))
     depends_on('jansson')