diff --git a/package/python/python.mk b/package/python/python.mk
index af8069c0cf..c3eb167921 100644
--- a/package/python/python.mk
+++ b/package/python/python.mk
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ PYTHON_CAT:=$(BZCAT)
 PYTHON_BINARY:=python
 PYTHON_TARGET_BINARY:=usr/bin/python
 PYTHON_DEPS:=
+PYTHON_SITE_PACKAGE_DIR=$(TARGET_DIR)/usr/lib/python$(PYTHON_VERSION_SHORT)/site-packages
 
 BR2_PYTHON_DISABLED_MODULES=dbm zipfile