diff --git a/devel/ruby-gettext/Makefile b/devel/ruby-gettext/Makefile
index a1a5a32c0489..f2e7bcf0ddda 100644
--- a/devel/ruby-gettext/Makefile
+++ b/devel/ruby-gettext/Makefile
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ DIST_SUBDIR=	ruby
 
 MAINTAINER=	knu@FreeBSD.org
 
+BUILD_DEPENDS=	msgfmt:${PORTSDIR}/devel/gettext
+
 USE_RUBY=	yes
 USE_RUBY_RDTOOL=	yes
 USE_RUBY_SETUP=	yes
diff --git a/devel/rubygem-gettext/Makefile b/devel/rubygem-gettext/Makefile
index a1a5a32c0489..f2e7bcf0ddda 100644
--- a/devel/rubygem-gettext/Makefile
+++ b/devel/rubygem-gettext/Makefile
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ DIST_SUBDIR=	ruby
 
 MAINTAINER=	knu@FreeBSD.org
 
+BUILD_DEPENDS=	msgfmt:${PORTSDIR}/devel/gettext
+
 USE_RUBY=	yes
 USE_RUBY_RDTOOL=	yes
 USE_RUBY_SETUP=	yes
diff --git a/devel/rubygem-locale/Makefile b/devel/rubygem-locale/Makefile
index a1a5a32c0489..f2e7bcf0ddda 100644
--- a/devel/rubygem-locale/Makefile
+++ b/devel/rubygem-locale/Makefile
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ DIST_SUBDIR=	ruby
 
 MAINTAINER=	knu@FreeBSD.org
 
+BUILD_DEPENDS=	msgfmt:${PORTSDIR}/devel/gettext
+
 USE_RUBY=	yes
 USE_RUBY_RDTOOL=	yes
 USE_RUBY_SETUP=	yes