diff --git a/pkgs/development/python-modules/ale-py/default.nix b/pkgs/development/python-modules/ale-py/default.nix
index 0b5d9649f476..77978654e68f 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/python-modules/ale-py/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/python-modules/ale-py/default.nix
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ buildPythonPackage rec {
 
   nativeBuildInputs = [
     cmake
+    ninja
     setuptools
     wheel
     pybind11