diff --git a/package/x11r7/xcb-proto/xcb-proto.mk b/package/x11r7/xcb-proto/xcb-proto.mk
index 8bfe24f848..64190c817f 100644
--- a/package/x11r7/xcb-proto/xcb-proto.mk
+++ b/package/x11r7/xcb-proto/xcb-proto.mk
@@ -12,8 +12,12 @@ XCB_PROTO_LICENSE_FILES = COPYING
 
 XCB_PROTO_INSTALL_STAGING = YES
 
-XCB_PROTO_DEPENDENCIES = host-python
-HOST_XCB_PROTO_DEPENDENCIES = host-python
+XCB_PROTO_DEPENDENCIES = host-python3
+HOST_XCB_PROTO_DEPENDENCIES = host-python3
+
+# Force detection of Buildroot host-python3 over system python
+XCB_PROTO_CONF_OPTS += ac_cv_path_PYTHON=$(HOST_DIR)/bin/python3
+HOST_XCB_PROTO_CONF_OPTS += ac_cv_path_PYTHON=$(HOST_DIR)/bin/python3
 
 $(eval $(autotools-package))
 $(eval $(host-autotools-package))