diff --git a/.bazelrc b/.bazelrc
index 64c7384..5ff2635 100644
--- a/.bazelrc
+++ b/.bazelrc
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@
 build --java_toolchain=@org_onosproject_onos//tools/build/jdk:default_toolchain
 build --host_java_toolchain=@org_onosproject_onos//tools/build/jdk:default_toolchain
 
+build --host_force_python=PY2
+
 build --nouse_ijars
 build --experimental_strict_action_env