diff --git a/sys/Makefile.dep b/sys/Makefile.dep
index fa7be4a572..3f7681c776 100644
--- a/sys/Makefile.dep
+++ b/sys/Makefile.dep
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ ifneq (,$(filter arduino,$(USEMODULE)))
   FEATURES_OPTIONAL += periph_i2c
   FEATURES_OPTIONAL += periph_spi
   FEATURES_REQUIRED += periph_uart
+  FEATURES_REQUIRED += cpp
   SKETCH_MODULE ?= arduino_sketches
   USEMODULE += $(SKETCH_MODULE)
 endif