diff --git a/pkgs/development/ruby-modules/gem-config/default.nix b/pkgs/development/ruby-modules/gem-config/default.nix
index be6a03513eca..9a0c93038b45 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/ruby-modules/gem-config/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/ruby-modules/gem-config/default.nix
@@ -229,6 +229,7 @@ in
 
   gpgme = attrs: {
     buildInputs = [ gpgme ];
+    nativeBuildInputs = [ pkg-config ];
     buildFlags = [ "--use-system-libraries" ];
   };