diff --git a/gnu/packages/qemu.scm b/gnu/packages/qemu.scm
index 51c579a0ce..f06b52fdff 100644
--- a/gnu/packages/qemu.scm
+++ b/gnu/packages/qemu.scm
@@ -424,6 +424,7 @@ virtualization library.")
     (build-system python-build-system)
     (arguments
      `(#:python ,python-2
+       #:use-setuptools? #f ; Uses custom distutils 'install' command.
        ;; Some of the tests seem to require network access to install virtual
        ;; machines.
        #:tests? #f