diff --git a/package/python-iptables/Config.in b/package/python-iptables/Config.in
index a35577bad3..0e24283d06 100644
--- a/package/python-iptables/Config.in
+++ b/package/python-iptables/Config.in
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 config BR2_PACKAGE_PYTHON_IPTABLES
 	bool "python-iptables"
 	depends on !BR2_STATIC_LIBS
-	select BR2_PACKAGE_IPTABLES # runtime dependency
+	select BR2_PACKAGE_IPTABLES
 	help
 	  Python bindings for iptables.
 
diff --git a/package/python-iptables/python-iptables.mk b/package/python-iptables/python-iptables.mk
index 72bf292c77..0ccf064217 100644
--- a/package/python-iptables/python-iptables.mk
+++ b/package/python-iptables/python-iptables.mk
@@ -9,5 +9,14 @@ PYTHON_IPTABLES_SITE = https://files.pythonhosted.org/packages/ca/6e/cba9c6f4b5a
 PYTHON_IPTABLES_SETUP_TYPE = setuptools
 PYTHON_IPTABLES_LICENSE = Apache-2.0
 PYTHON_IPTABLES_LICENSE_FILES = NOTICE
+PYTHON_IPTABLES_DEPENDENCIES = iptables
+
+define PYTHON_IPTABLES_SET_XTABLES_ENV_VARS
+	XTABLES_VERSION=`awk '/XTABLES_VERSION_CODE/ {print $$NF}' $(STAGING_DIR)/usr/include/xtables-version.h`; \
+	sed -i "s%os.getenv(\"PYTHON_IPTABLES_XTABLES_VERSION\")%$$XTABLES_VERSION%" $(@D)/iptc/xtables.py
+	sed -i "s%os.getenv(\"XTABLES_LIBDIR\")%\"/usr/lib/xtables\"%" $(@D)/iptc/xtables.py
+endef
+
+PYTHON_IPTABLES_PRE_BUILD_HOOKS += PYTHON_IPTABLES_SET_XTABLES_ENV_VARS
 
 $(eval $(python-package))