diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index fc84909f..bd6363c5 100755
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ setup(
         'pygments',
         'colorama',  # numba traceback coloring
         'msgspec',  # performant IPC messaging and structs
+        'protobuf',
 
         # async
         'trio',