diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/metabat/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/metabat/package.py
index 3721c8e980b..960fc264922 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/metabat/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/metabat/package.py
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ class Metabat(CMakePackage):
         deprecated=True,
     )
 
+    depends_on("autoconf", type="build")
     depends_on("cmake", type="build", when="@2.13:")
     depends_on("boost@1.55.0:", type=("build", "run"))