diff --git a/python-setuptools.spec b/python-setuptools.spec
index d6e667c..a33381c 100644
--- a/python-setuptools.spec
+++ b/python-setuptools.spec
@@ -29,6 +29,8 @@ Source2:        zpl.txt
 Patch1:         setuptools-0.6c9-create-sitedir.patch
 BuildRoot:      %{_tmppath}/%{name}-%{version}-build
 BuildRequires:  python-devel
+# needed for SLE
+Requires:       python
 Requires(post): update-alternatives
 Requires(postun): update-alternatives
 # NOTE(saschpe): Distribute was merged into 0.7.x, so even though distribute