diff --git a/manage_translation.py b/manage_translation.py
index dc930ae92..55c936ded 100755
--- a/manage_translation.py
+++ b/manage_translation.py
@@ -90,6 +90,7 @@ def _clone_cpython_repo(version: str):
 
 
 def _build_gettext():
+    _call("make -C cpython/Doc/ venv")
     _call("make -C cpython/Doc/ gettext")