diff --git a/configure.in b/configure.in
index b4d4d222d..7f7d4af45 100644
--- a/configure.in
+++ b/configure.in
@@ -555,7 +555,7 @@ if test -n "$PYTHON"; then
     # Find the directory for libraries this is necessary to deal with
     # platforms that can have apps built for multiple archs: e.g. x86_64
     AC_MSG_CHECKING(for Python lib dir)
-    PYLIBDIR=`($PYTHON -c "import sys; print sys.lib") 2>/dev/null`
+    PYLIBDIR?=`($PYTHON -c "import sys; print sys.lib") 2>/dev/null`
     if test -z "$PYLIBDIR"; then
       # older versions don't have sys.lib  so the best we can do is assume lib
       PYLIBDIR="lib"