diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index b6c3971..e2a69f3 100644
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+import sys
+
 from setuptools import find_packages
 from setuptools import setup
 
@@ -5,6 +7,8 @@
 install_requires = [
     'setuptools',
 ]
+if sys.version_info < (3, 8):
+    install_requires.append('importlib-metadata')
 package_excludes = ['tests*', 'docs*']
 packages = find_packages(exclude=package_excludes)
 
diff --git a/stdeb.cfg b/stdeb.cfg
index 4477cac..89ffe79 100644
--- a/stdeb.cfg
+++ b/stdeb.cfg
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 [DEFAULT]
-Depends3: python3-setuptools
+Depends3: python3-setuptools, python3-importlib-metadata
 Conflicts3: python-osrf-pycommon
 Suite3: xenial yakkety zesty artful bionic cosmic disco eoan focal stretch buster
 X-Python3-Version: >= 3.5