diff --git a/pkgs/development/python-modules/mpi4py/default.nix b/pkgs/development/python-modules/mpi4py/default.nix
index ec181652da66..c38d948dd6be 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/python-modules/mpi4py/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/python-modules/mpi4py/default.nix
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-{ stdenv, fetchurl, python, buildPythonPackage, mpi, openssh }:
+{ stdenv, fetchurl, python, buildPythonPackage, mpi, openssh, isPy3k, isPyPy }:
 
 buildPythonPackage rec {
   name = "mpi4py-1.3.1";
@@ -45,6 +45,8 @@ buildPythonPackage rec {
   # if openssh is not present. E.g. h5py with mpi support.
   propagatedBuildInputs = [ openssh ];
 
+  disabled = isPy3k || isPyPy;
+
   meta = {
     description =
       "Python bindings for the Message Passing Interface standard";