diff --git a/pkgs/applications/video/vdr/default.nix b/pkgs/applications/video/vdr/default.nix
index e81002193589..bcffb8585b31 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/video/vdr/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/video/vdr/default.nix
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 
   postPatch = "substituteInPlace Makefile --replace libsystemd-daemon libsystemd";
 
-  buildInputs = [ fontconfig libjpeg libcap freetype ]
+  buildInputs = [ fontconfig libjpeg libcap freetype perl ]
   ++ lib.optional enableSystemd systemd
   ++ lib.optional enableBidi fribidi;