diff --git a/python/Makefile.am b/python/Makefile.am
index 6ffb0d8d4..84941b301 100644
--- a/python/Makefile.am
+++ b/python/Makefile.am
@@ -45,9 +45,7 @@ libguestfsmod_la_CFLAGS = -Wall -I$(PYTHON_INCLUDEDIR) \
 libguestfsmod_la_LIBADD = $(top_builddir)/src/libguestfs.la
 libguestfsmod_la_LDFLAGS = -avoid-version -shared
 
-TESTS_ENVIRONMENT = \
-	PYTHON=$(PYTHON) \
-	$(top_builddir)/run --test
+TESTS_ENVIRONMENT = $(top_builddir)/run --test
 
 TESTS = run-bindtests
 
diff --git a/run.in b/run.in
index cb55bcb38..2afe5a6da 100644
--- a/run.in
+++ b/run.in
@@ -64,6 +64,7 @@ fi
 export PERL5LIB
 
 # For Python.
+export PYTHON=@PYTHON@
 if [ -z "$PYTHONPATH" ]; then
     PYTHONPATH="$b/python:$b/python/.libs"
 else