diff --git a/srcpkgs/obnam/template b/srcpkgs/obnam/template
index 1fe26ab9a7c..38b4a8976e8 100644
--- a/srcpkgs/obnam/template
+++ b/srcpkgs/obnam/template
@@ -3,8 +3,8 @@ pkgname=obnam
 version=1.9
 revision=1
 build_style=python-module
-hostmakedepends="python-devel python-larch python-paramiko python-yaml mdocml"
 makedepends="python-devel python-larch python-paramiko"
+hostmakedepends="$makedepends python-yaml mdocml"
 depends="python python-larch python-paramiko python-fuse python-yaml"
 pycompile_module="obnamlib"
 short_desc="Backup program that supports encryption and deduplication"