diff --git a/news/237-add-setuptools-req b/news/237-add-setuptools-req
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f4cad04f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/news/237-add-setuptools-req
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+### Enhancements
+
+* <news item>
+
+### Bug fixes
+
+* Add setuptools to recipe host requirements. (#237)
+
+### Deprecations
+
+* <news item>
+
+### Docs
+
+* <news item>
+
+### Other
+
+* <news item>
diff --git a/recipe/meta.yaml b/recipe/meta.yaml
index e2c8b621..ab8937a7 100644
--- a/recipe/meta.yaml
+++ b/recipe/meta.yaml
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ requirements:
   host:
     - python
     - pip
+    - setuptools
   run:
     - python