diff --git a/pkgs/development/ruby-modules/gem-config/default.nix b/pkgs/development/ruby-modules/gem-config/default.nix
index 9d4f5679e26e..76a044a56b2e 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/ruby-modules/gem-config/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/ruby-modules/gem-config/default.nix
@@ -80,6 +80,10 @@ in
     buildInputs = [ curl ];
   };
 
+  curses = attrs: {
+    buildInputs = [ ncurses ];
+  };
+
   dep-selector-libgecode = attrs: {
     USE_SYSTEM_GECODE = true;
     postInstall = ''