--- setuptools-56.0.0.orig/setuptools/config.py
+++ setuptools-56.0.0/setuptools/config.py
@@ -206,8 +206,9 @@
 
         current_value = getattr(target_obj, option_name, unknown)
 
-        if current_value is unknown:
-            raise KeyError(option_name)
+        # This seems to presently cause problems on Alpine, so we disable the check.
+        # if current_value is unknown:
+        #    raise KeyError(option_name)
 
         if current_value:
             # Already inhabited. Skipping.