diff --git a/pkgs/development/python-modules/pybind11/default.nix b/pkgs/development/python-modules/pybind11/default.nix
index 8f01ddd49adf..327a44690da3 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/python-modules/pybind11/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/python-modules/pybind11/default.nix
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ buildPythonPackage rec {
     "-DBoost_INCLUDE_DIR=${lib.getDev boost}/include"
     "-DEIGEN3_INCLUDE_DIR=${lib.getDev eigen}/include/eigen3"
     "-DBUILD_TESTING=on"
+    "-DPYTHON_EXECUTABLE:FILEPATH=${python.pythonForBuild.interpreter}"
   ] ++ lib.optionals (python.isPy3k && !stdenv.cc.isClang) [
     "-DPYBIND11_CXX_STANDARD=-std=c++17"
   ];