diff --git a/ground/openpilotgcs/src/python.pri b/ground/openpilotgcs/src/python.pri
index 4d80b1970..dda609410 100644
--- a/ground/openpilotgcs/src/python.pri
+++ b/ground/openpilotgcs/src/python.pri
@@ -15,8 +15,8 @@ OPENPILOT_TOOLS_DIR = $$(OPENPILOT_TOOLS_DIR)
         PYTHON = \"$$ROOT_DIR/tools/$$PYTHON_DIR/python\"
     } else {
         # not found, hope it's in the path...
-        PYTHON_VER = $$system(python --version 2>&1)
-        contains(PYTHON_VER, "Python 2") {
+        PYTHON_VER = "$$system(python --version 2>&1)"
+        contains(PYTHON_VER, "Python 2.*") {
             PYTHON = \"python\"
         } else {
             PYTHON = \"python2\"