diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/graphite2/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/graphite2/package.py
index f4f38365897..5af38791027 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/graphite2/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/graphite2/package.py
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ class Graphite2(CMakePackage):
     version("1.3.13", sha256="dd63e169b0d3cf954b397c122551ab9343e0696fb2045e1b326db0202d875f06")
 
     depends_on("python@3.6:", type="test")
+    depends_on("freetype")
 
     patch("regparm.patch")