diff --git a/liborcus.spec b/liborcus.spec
index efac633..7e9b2c4 100644
--- a/liborcus.spec
+++ b/liborcus.spec
@@ -1,13 +1,23 @@
 %global apiversion 0.16
 
+%if 0%{?rhel}
+
+# build conversion tools
+%bcond_with convtools
+# build python3 bindings
+%bcond_with python
+
+%else
 # build conversion tools
 %bcond_without convtools
 # build python3 bindings
 %bcond_without python
 
+%endif
+
 Name: liborcus
 Version: 0.16.1
-Release: 2%{?dist}
+Release: 3%{?dist}
 Summary: Standalone file import filter library for spreadsheet documents
 
 License: MPLv2.0
@@ -187,6 +197,9 @@ make check %{?_smp_mflags}
 %doc doc/_doxygen/html
 
 %changelog
+* Wed Dec 02 2020 Caolán McNamara <caolanm@redhat.com> - 0.16.1-3
+- build without libixion under rhel
+
 * Mon Oct 19 2020 Jeff Law <law@redhat.com> - 0.16.1-2
 - Fix missing headers for gcc-11