diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/fenics-dolfinx/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/fenics-dolfinx/package.py
index 9836f23bd14..25e1e2b3676 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/fenics-dolfinx/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/fenics-dolfinx/package.py
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ class FenicsDolfinx(CMakePackage):
         multi=True,
     )
 
+    depends_on("c", type="build")
     depends_on("cxx", type="build")  # generated
 
     # Graph partitioner dependencies