diff --git a/python/py-pymvpa/Portfile b/python/py-pymvpa/Portfile
index b377d3f86b5a..77d0e50d3a86 100644
--- a/python/py-pymvpa/Portfile
+++ b/python/py-pymvpa/Portfile
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ categories-append   science math
 license             MIT
 
 python.versions     37
+python.pep517       no
 
 maintainers         {stromnov @stromnov} openmaintainer