diff --git a/REFERENCE.md b/REFERENCE.md
index 7cc88c03..3c51151b 100644
--- a/REFERENCE.md
+++ b/REFERENCE.md
@@ -79,6 +79,7 @@ The following parameters are available in the `python` class:
 * [`umask`](#-python--umask)
 * [`manage_gunicorn`](#-python--manage_gunicorn)
 * [`manage_python_package`](#-python--manage_python_package)
+* [`manage_dev_package`](#-python--manage_dev_package)
 * [`manage_venv_package`](#-python--manage_venv_package)
 * [`manage_pip_package`](#-python--manage_pip_package)
 * [`venv`](#-python--venv)
@@ -192,6 +193,14 @@ manage the state for package python
 
 Default value: `true`
 
+##### <a name="-python--manage_dev_package"></a>`manage_dev_package`
+
+Data type: `Boolean`
+
+manage the state of the python development package
+
+Default value: `true`
+
 ##### <a name="-python--manage_venv_package"></a>`manage_venv_package`
 
 Data type: `Boolean`
diff --git a/manifests/init.pp b/manifests/init.pp
index 5b3c9fdf..b457edbd 100644
--- a/manifests/init.pp
+++ b/manifests/init.pp
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
 # @param umask The default umask for invoked exec calls.
 # @param manage_gunicorn manage the state for package gunicorn
 # @param manage_python_package manage the state for package python
+# @param manage_dev_package manage the state of the python development package
 # @param manage_venv_package manage the state for package venv
 # @param manage_pip_package manage the state for package pip
 #
@@ -45,6 +46,7 @@
   Python::Package::Ensure    $gunicorn                    = 'absent',
   Boolean                    $manage_gunicorn             = true,
   Boolean                    $manage_python_package       = true,
+  Boolean                    $manage_dev_package          = true,
   Boolean                    $manage_venv_package         = $python::params::manage_venv_package,
   Boolean                    $manage_pip_package          = $python::params::manage_pip_package,
   String[1]                  $gunicorn_package_name       = $python::params::gunicorn_package_name,
diff --git a/manifests/install.pp b/manifests/install.pp
index 6a738435..5d25efda 100644
--- a/manifests/install.pp
+++ b/manifests/install.pp
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@
         }
       }
 
-      if $pythondev {
+      if $python::manage_dev_package and $pythondev {
         package { 'python-dev':
           ensure => $python::dev,
           name   => $pythondev,
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@
             }
           }
 
-          if $pythondev {
+          if $python::manage_dev_package and $pythondev {
             package { 'python-dev':
               ensure   => $python::dev,
               name     => $pythondev,
@@ -196,7 +196,7 @@
             }
           }
 
-          if $pythondev {
+          if $python::manage_dev_package and $pythondev {
             package { 'python-dev':
               ensure => $python::dev,
               name   => $pythondev,
diff --git a/spec/classes/python_spec.rb b/spec/classes/python_spec.rb
index cca3ef65..d3bde4a4 100644
--- a/spec/classes/python_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/classes/python_spec.rb
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@
         let :params do
           {
             manage_python_package: false,
+            manage_dev_package: false,
             manage_pip_package: false,
             manage_venv_package: false
           }
@@ -41,6 +42,7 @@
 
         it { is_expected.to compile.with_all_deps }
         it { is_expected.not_to contain_package('python') }
+        it { is_expected.not_to contain_package('python-dev') }
         it { is_expected.not_to contain_package('pip') }
         it { is_expected.not_to contain_package('python-venv') }
       end