diff --git a/config-hlrs/packages.yaml b/config-hlrs/packages.yaml
index c4c94d6..83a32ec 100644
--- a/config-hlrs/packages.yaml
+++ b/config-hlrs/packages.yaml
@@ -126,6 +126,17 @@ packages:
     require:
       - '%gcc@7.5'
       - '+libiberty' 
+# Some basic python packages which are part of the OS python
+  py-pip:
+    externals:
+    - spec: py-pip@20.0.2
+      prefix: /usr
+    buildable: false
+  py-setuptools:
+    externals:
+    - spec: py-setuptools@44.1.1
+      prefix: /usr
+    buildable: false
 # packages which have been discovered by spack external find --all
   python:
     externals: