diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/zfp/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/zfp/package.py
index a065af9281d..4d2e2006d57 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/zfp/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/zfp/package.py
@@ -78,6 +78,7 @@ class Zfp(CMakePackage, CudaPackage):
     # Dependencies
     depends_on('cmake@3.4.0:', type='build')
     depends_on('cuda@7:',      type=('build', 'test', 'run'), when='+cuda')
+    depends_on('python',     type=('build', 'test', 'run'), when='+python')
     depends_on('py-numpy',     type=('build', 'test', 'run'), when='+python')
     depends_on('py-cython',    type='build',                  when='+python')