diff --git a/packages/hxtorch/package.py b/packages/hxtorch/package.py
index 7be0e3abc399f9a06a7186b39debacd14aa9538f..570796be77fa6841f029531fcb49f623c65ad749 100644
--- a/packages/hxtorch/package.py
+++ b/packages/hxtorch/package.py
@@ -11,13 +11,14 @@ class Hxtorch(WafPackage):
     """hxtorch --- a PyTorch-based toplevel for the BrainScaleS-2 neuromorphic hardware systems"""
 
     homepage = "https://github.com/electronicvisions/hxtorch"
-    # This repo provides a waf binary used for the build below
+    # This repo provides a custom waf binary used for the build below
     git      = "https://github.com/electronicvisions/pynn-brainscales.git"
 
     version('7.0-a1', branch='waf')
 
-    # PPU compiler dependencies
-    depends_on('oppulance@7.0-a1')
+    # compiler for the BrainScaleS-2 embedded processor ("PPU"); needed for
+    # building/linking, at runtime and for testing
+    depends_on('oppulance@7.0-a1', type=('build', 'link', 'run', 'test'))
 
     # host software dependencies
     depends_on('bitsery', type=('build', 'link', 'run'))
@@ -36,7 +37,7 @@ class Hxtorch(WafPackage):
     depends_on('log4cxx@0.12.1:', type=('build', 'link', 'run'))
     depends_on('pkgconfig', type=('build', 'link', 'run'))
     depends_on('psmisc', type=('run', 'test'))
-    depends_on('python@3.7.0:', type=('build', 'link', 'run')) # BrainScaleS(-2, type=('build', 'link', 'run')) only supports Python >= 3.7
+    depends_on('python@3.7.0:', type=('build', 'link', 'run')) # BrainScaleS-2 only supports Python >= 3.7
     depends_on('py-h5py', type=('build', 'link', 'run')) # PyNN tests need it
     depends_on('py-jax@0.3.25:', type=('build', 'link', 'run'))
     depends_on('py-matplotlib', type=('build', 'link', 'run'))
diff --git a/packages/pynn-brainscales/package.py b/packages/pynn-brainscales/package.py
index 5c7d33f7887cb816567dc619e7a2ac10eacb14d1..8b8a6735ea1aa6e7c63c05243ce658f37cb4d6ea 100644
--- a/packages/pynn-brainscales/package.py
+++ b/packages/pynn-brainscales/package.py
@@ -11,12 +11,14 @@ class PynnBrainscales(WafPackage):
     """PyNN toplevel for the BrainScaleS-2 neuromorphic hardware systems"""
 
     homepage = "https://github.com/electronicvisions/pynn-brainscales"
+    # This repo provides a custom waf binary used for the build below
     git      = "https://github.com/electronicvisions/pynn-brainscales.git"
 
     version('7.0-a1', branch='waf')
 
-    # PPU compiler dependencies
-    depends_on('oppulance@7.0-a1')
+    # compiler for the BrainScaleS-2 embedded processor ("PPU"); needed for
+    # building/linking, at runtime and for testing
+    depends_on('oppulance@7.0-a1', type=('build', 'link', 'run', 'test'))
 
     # host software dependencies
     depends_on('bitsery', type=('build', 'link', 'run'))
@@ -35,7 +37,7 @@ class PynnBrainscales(WafPackage):
     depends_on('log4cxx@0.12.1:', type=('build', 'link', 'run'))
     depends_on('pkgconfig', type=('build', 'link', 'run'))
     depends_on('psmisc', type=('run', 'test'))
-    depends_on('python@3.7.0:', type=('build', 'link', 'run')) # BrainScaleS(-2, type=('build', 'link', 'run')) only supports Python >= 3.7
+    depends_on('python@3.7.0:', type=('build', 'link', 'run')) # BrainScaleS-2 only supports Python >= 3.7
     depends_on('py-deap@1.3.1:', type=('build', 'link', 'run'))
     depends_on('py-h5py', type=('build', 'link', 'run')) # PyNN tests need it
     depends_on('py-matplotlib', type=('build', 'link', 'run'))