diff --git a/spack/package.py b/spack/package.py
index 0437fb9a..792ebd2c 100644
--- a/spack/package.py
+++ b/spack/package.py
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ class Bufr(CMakePackage):
     depends_on("python@3:", type=("build", "run"), when="+python")
     depends_on("py-setuptools", type="build", when="+python")
     depends_on("py-numpy", type=("build", "run"), when="+python")
-    depends_on("meson", type="test", when="+python")
+    depends_on("meson", type="build", when="+python")
     depends_on("py-pip", type="build", when="+python")
     depends_on("py-wheel", type="build", when="+python")