diff --git a/vars/Debian.yaml b/vars/Debian.yaml
index 14e6a83..da12ee2 100644
--- a/vars/Debian.yaml
+++ b/vars/Debian.yaml
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
 # under the License.
 ---
 __zuul_build_depends:
+  - build-essential
   - git
   - python-dev