diff --git a/lang/python/python3-package.mk b/lang/python/python3-package.mk
index 878108c54..b16773263 100644
--- a/lang/python/python3-package.mk
+++ b/lang/python/python3-package.mk
@@ -207,8 +207,8 @@ endef
 
 Py3Build/Compile=$(Py3Build/Compile/Default)
 
-ifeq ($(BUILD_VARIANT),python3)
-define Build/Compile
-	$(call Py3Build/Compile)
-endef
-endif # python3
+PYTHON3_PKG_BUILD ?= 1
+
+ifeq ($(strip $(PYTHON3_PKG_BUILD)),1)
+  Build/Compile=$(Py3Build/Compile)
+endif