diff --git a/package/python-matplotlib/Config.in b/package/python-matplotlib/Config.in
index c5cb94dac7..14f43568f3 100644
--- a/package/python-matplotlib/Config.in
+++ b/package/python-matplotlib/Config.in
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 config BR2_PACKAGE_PYTHON_MATPLOTLIB
 	bool "python-matplotlib"
+	depends on BR2_INSTALL_LIBSTDCPP
 	depends on BR2_PACKAGE_PYTHON3
 	depends on BR2_PACKAGE_PYTHON_NUMPY_ARCH_SUPPORTS
 	select BR2_PACKAGE_FREETYPE # runtime
@@ -19,3 +20,6 @@ config BR2_PACKAGE_PYTHON_MATPLOTLIB
 	  formats.
 
 	  https://matplotlib.org/
+
+comment "python-matplotlib needs a toolchain w/ C++"
+	depends on !BR2_INSTALL_LIBSTDCPP