diff --git a/REFERENCE.md b/REFERENCE.md
index 2ed41346..5e066485 100644
--- a/REFERENCE.md
+++ b/REFERENCE.md
@@ -268,6 +268,14 @@ HTTP index server to use for pip/virtualenv.
 
 Default value: ``undef``
 
+##### <a name="python_systempkgs"></a>`python_systempkgs`
+
+Data type: `Boolean`
+
+Python system packages available in virtualenv.
+
+Default value: ``false``
+
 ##### <a name="default_environment"></a>`default_environment`
 
 Data type: `String[1]`
diff --git a/manifests/init.pp b/manifests/init.pp
index 129d8646..11c08178 100644
--- a/manifests/init.pp
+++ b/manifests/init.pp
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@
 # @param python_loglevel Python logging module log level.
 # @param python_proxy HTTP proxy server to use for pip/virtualenv.
 # @param python_index HTTP index server to use for pip/virtualenv.
+# @param python_systempkgs Python system packages available in virtualenv.
 # @param default_environment set the default environment
 # @param revision Commit, tag, or branch from Puppetboard's Git repo to be used
 # @param version PyPI package version to be installed
@@ -81,6 +82,7 @@
   Puppetboard::Syslogpriority $python_loglevel                = 'info',
   Optional[String[1]] $python_proxy                           = undef,
   Optional[String[1]] $python_index                           = undef,
+  Boolean $python_systempkgs                                  = false,
   Optional[String] $revision                                  = undef,
   Boolean $manage_user                                        = true,
   Boolean $manage_group                                       = true,
@@ -157,7 +159,7 @@
       python::pyvenv { $virtualenv_dir:
         ensure      => present,
         version     => $python_version,
-        systempkgs  => false,
+        systempkgs  => $python_systempkgs,
         owner       => $user,
         group       => $group,
         require     => File[$basedir],