diff --git a/srcpkgs/vte3/template b/srcpkgs/vte3/template
index abd5a209e81..237de653b7d 100644
--- a/srcpkgs/vte3/template
+++ b/srcpkgs/vte3/template
@@ -25,10 +25,10 @@ if [ -z "$CROSS_BUILD" ]; then
 fi
 
 if [ "$build_option_gir" ]; then
-	configure_args+=" --enable-introspection"
-	makedepends+=" gobject-introspection"
+	configure_args+=" --enable-introspection --enable-vala"
+	hostmakedepends+=" gobject-introspection vala-devel"
 else
-	configure_args+=" --disable-introspection"
+	configure_args+=" --disable-introspection --disable-vala"
 fi
 
 vte3-devel_package() {