diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index c915963..04b9aa4 100755
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -41,6 +41,8 @@ class build(_build):
     sub_commands = [('compile_translations', None)] + _build.sub_commands
 
 class eo_sdist(sdist):
+    sub_commands = [('compile_translations', None)] + sdist.sub_commands
+
     def run(self):
         if os.path.exists('VERSION'):
             os.remove('VERSION')