diff --git a/inc/python b/inc/python
index e013dfab36..9de2831537 100644
--- a/inc/python
+++ b/inc/python
@@ -148,11 +148,15 @@ function pip_install {
     fi
 
     $xtrace
+    # adding SETUPTOOLS_SYS_PATH_TECHNIQUE is a workaround to keep
+    # the same behaviour of setuptools before version 25.0.0.
+    # related issue: https://github.com/pypa/pip/issues/3874
     $sudo_pip \
         http_proxy="${http_proxy:-}" \
         https_proxy="${https_proxy:-}" \
         no_proxy="${no_proxy:-}" \
         PIP_FIND_LINKS=$PIP_FIND_LINKS \
+        SETUPTOOLS_SYS_PATH_TECHNIQUE=rewrite \
         $cmd_pip $upgrade \
         $@
     result=$?