diff --git a/package/python-pydal/Config.in b/package/python-pydal/Config.in
index 204b47a09a..4ed2b934ac 100644
--- a/package/python-pydal/Config.in
+++ b/package/python-pydal/Config.in
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 config BR2_PACKAGE_PYTHON_PYDAL
 	bool "python-pydal"
+	select BR2_PACKAGE_PYTHON3_PYEXPAT # runtime
 	help
 	  pyDAL is a pure Python Database Abstraction Layer.  It
 	  dynamically generates the SQL in real time using the