diff --git a/backend/requirements.txt b/backend/requirements.txt
index b4e7ffe3b..fb1e5d9c4 100644
--- a/backend/requirements.txt
+++ b/backend/requirements.txt
@@ -15,3 +15,4 @@ nose>=1.3.7
 django-nose>=1.4.5
 coverage>=4.4.2
 
+setuptools>=78.1.1 # not directly required, pinned by Snyk to avoid a vulnerability