diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/re2c/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/re2c/package.py
index 6f621b5d3a..de0da9c764 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/re2c/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/re2c/package.py
@@ -30,6 +30,10 @@ class Re2c(Package):
     phases = ["configure", "build", "install"]
 
     depends_on("cmake", when="platform=windows")
+    depends_on("gmake", when="platform=linux")
+    depends_on("gmake", when="platform=cray")
+    depends_on("gmake", when="platform=darwin")
+    depends_on("gmake", when="platform=freebsd")
 
     @property
     def make_tool(self):