diff --git a/api/packages.ini b/api/packages.ini
index cca5bd60e..495cd3866 100644
--- a/api/packages.ini
+++ b/api/packages.ini
@@ -7,5 +7,6 @@ python3-gunicorn = buster, bullseye, bionic, focal
 
 [psycopg2]
 # See https://www.psycopg.org/docs/install.html#install-from-source
+build-essential = buster, bullseye, bionic, focal
 python3-dev = buster, bullseye, bionic, focal
 libpq-dev = buster, bullseye, bionic, focal