diff --git a/gnu/packages/python-xyz.scm b/gnu/packages/python-xyz.scm
index 53646653e4..edaca9070e 100644
--- a/gnu/packages/python-xyz.scm
+++ b/gnu/packages/python-xyz.scm
@@ -9612,7 +9612,14 @@ (define-public python-backports-csv
     (license license:psfl)))
 
 (define-public python2-backports-csv
-  (package-with-python2 python-backports-csv))
+  (package
+    (inherit (package-with-python2 python-backports-csv))
+    (arguments
+     `(#:phases
+       (modify-phases %standard-phases
+         ;; The sanity-check attempts attempts to import the non-existent
+         ;; module "backports".
+         (delete 'sanity-check))))))
 
 (define-public python2-backports-shutil-get-terminal-size
   (package