diff --git a/elasticsearch/x-pack/build.gradle b/elasticsearch/x-pack/build.gradle
index cdb38bf8425..f8833340218 100644
--- a/elasticsearch/x-pack/build.gradle
+++ b/elasticsearch/x-pack/build.gradle
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ dependencies {
   testCompile project(':x-plugins:elasticsearch:license:licensor')
 
   // security deps
+  compile project(path: ':modules:transport-netty', configuration: 'runtime')
   compile 'dk.brics.automaton:automaton:1.11-8'
   compile 'com.unboundid:unboundid-ldapsdk:2.3.8'
   compile 'org.bouncycastle:bcprov-jdk15on:1.54'