diff --git a/compiler/Makefile b/compiler/Makefile
index 62982250e..67cf36c87 100644
--- a/compiler/Makefile
+++ b/compiler/Makefile
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 BUILD_DIR=./build
-Python3_EXECUTABLE=
+Python3_EXECUTABLE?=
 BINDINGS_PYTHON_ENABLED=ON
 PARALLEL_EXECUTION_ENABLED=OFF
 CC_COMPILER=