diff --git a/src/python/GNUmakefile b/src/python/GNUmakefile
index 9bcb5a9b42..be7af11fe7 100644
--- a/src/python/GNUmakefile
+++ b/src/python/GNUmakefile
@@ -6,7 +6,9 @@ LIBRARY = libnwpython.a
 
 OBJ = python_input.o task_python.o nwchem_wrap.o nw_inp_from_string.o 
 
-
+ifndef PYTHONVERSION
+   PYTHONVERSION=$(shell python -V| cut -d ' ' -f 2 |cut -d . -f 1-2)
+endif
 
 LIB_INCLUDES = $(shell python$(PYTHONVERSION)-config --includes| sed -e "s/\-iwithsysroot/\-I/g")