diff --git a/pkgs/tools/misc/esphome/default.nix b/pkgs/tools/misc/esphome/default.nix
index 16aa65b83beb..f3073c051be9 100644
--- a/pkgs/tools/misc/esphome/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/tools/misc/esphome/default.nix
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ python.pkgs.buildPythonApplication rec {
     # git is used in esphome/writer.py
     # inetutils is used in esphome/dashboard/status/ping.py
     "--prefix PATH : ${lib.makeBinPath [ platformio esptool git inetutils ]}"
-    "--prefix PYTHONPATH : $PYTHONPATH" # will show better error messages
+    "--prefix PYTHONPATH : ${python.pkgs.makePythonPath propagatedBuildInputs}" # will show better error messages
     "--prefix LD_LIBRARY_PATH : ${lib.makeLibraryPath [ stdenv.cc.cc.lib ]}"
     "--set ESPHOME_USE_SUBPROCESS ''"
   ];