We find using --system-site-packages on your deployment is a better solution for deploying Django - especially when it comes to dependencies that need to be compiled.

It gives you flexibility on your environment and lets you deploy onto machines without a C compiler, or strange setup requirements e.g. psycopg2 on OS X, and PIL on Ubuntu.

You then install Django, and other Python-only dependencies inside your virtualenv, which stops you polluting the global Python path.

It requires some discipline in your development setup, but it means you're able to develop across whatever platform you choose, and simplifies deployment.