diff --git a/Makefile.pre.in b/Makefile.pre.in
index f128444b98..d2013a2987 100644
--- a/Makefile.pre.in
+++ b/Makefile.pre.in
@@ -1930,6 +1930,12 @@ patchcheck: @DEF_MAKE_RULE@

 Python/thread.o: @THREADHEADERS@ $(srcdir)/Python/condvar.h

+write-python-for-build:
+	echo "#!/bin/sh" > python-for-build
+	echo "set -e" >> python-for-build
+	echo "exec env $(PYTHON_FOR_BUILD) \$$@" >> python-for-build
+	chmod +x python-for-build
+
 # Declare targets that aren't real files
 .PHONY: all build_all sharedmods check-clean-src oldsharedmods test quicktest
 .PHONY: install altinstall oldsharedinstall bininstall altbininstall