diff --git a/packages/lang/Python/patches/Python-2.7.3-016-default-is-optimized.patch b/packages/lang/Python/patches/Python-2.7.3-016-default-is-optimized.patch
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..5131e0ba69
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/lang/Python/patches/Python-2.7.3-016-default-is-optimized.patch
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+# When compiling for an embedded system, we need every bit of
+# performance we can get. default to optimized with the option
+# of opt-out.
+# Signed-Off: Michael 'Mickey' Lauer <mickey@vanille-media.de>
+
+Index: Python-2.6.1/Python/compile.c
+===================================================================
+--- Python-2.6.1.orig/Python/compile.c
++++ Python-2.6.1/Python/compile.c
+@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@
+ #include "symtable.h"
+ #include "opcode.h"
+ 
+-int Py_OptimizeFlag = 0;
++int Py_OptimizeFlag = 1;
+ 
+ #define DEFAULT_BLOCK_SIZE 16
+ #define DEFAULT_BLOCKS 8