diff --git a/rules.mk b/rules.mk
index 57c3bca7d9..8d4f619211 100644
--- a/rules.mk
+++ b/rules.mk
@@ -274,7 +274,7 @@ BASH:=bash
 TAR:=tar
 FIND:=find
 PATCH:=patch
-PYTHON:=python
+PYTHON:=python3
 
 INSTALL_BIN:=install -m0755
 INSTALL_SUID:=install -m4755