diff --git a/files/debs/general b/files/debs/general
index c121770fa2..3a0e24182a 100644
--- a/files/debs/general
+++ b/files/debs/general
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ psmisc
 python2.7
 python-dev
 python-gdbm # needed for testr
+python-systemd
 screen
 tar
 tcpdump
diff --git a/files/rpms/general b/files/rpms/general
index 77d2fa5f0a..baba06b5ab 100644
--- a/files/rpms/general
+++ b/files/rpms/general
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ pyOpenSSL # version in pip uses too much memory
 python-devel
 redhat-rpm-config # missing dep for gcc hardening flags, see rhbz#1217376
 screen
+systemd-python
 tar
 tcpdump
 unzip