diff --git a/lang/python/files/python-package.mk b/lang/python/files/python-package.mk
index b8096bef1..d5b4b8bf6 100644
--- a/lang/python/files/python-package.mk
+++ b/lang/python/files/python-package.mk
@@ -5,8 +5,8 @@
 # See /LICENSE for more information.
 #
 
-PYTHON_VERSION=2.7
-PYTHON_VERSION_MICRO=3
+PYTHON_VERSION:=2.7
+PYTHON_VERSION_MICRO:=3
 
 PYTHON_DIR:=$(STAGING_DIR)/usr
 PYTHON_BIN_DIR:=$(PYTHON_DIR)/bin