diff --git a/package/python/python.mk b/package/python/python.mk
index e430d741c5..22d9141718 100644
--- a/package/python/python.mk
+++ b/package/python/python.mk
@@ -254,9 +254,10 @@ endif
 define PYTHON_CREATE_PYC_FILES
 	$(PYTHON_FIX_TIME)
 	PYTHONPATH="$(PYTHON_PATH)" \
-	$(HOST_DIR)/usr/bin/python$(PYTHON_VERSION_MAJOR) \
-		support/scripts/pycompile.py $(if $(BR2_REPRODUCIBLE),--force) \
-		$(TARGET_DIR)/usr/lib/python$(PYTHON_VERSION_MAJOR)
+	cd $(TARGET_DIR) && $(HOST_DIR)/usr/bin/python$(PYTHON_VERSION_MAJOR) \
+		$(TOPDIR)/support/scripts/pycompile.py \
+		$(if $(BR2_REPRODUCIBLE),--force) \
+		usr/lib/python$(PYTHON_VERSION_MAJOR)
 endef
 
 ifeq ($(BR2_PACKAGE_PYTHON_PYC_ONLY)$(BR2_PACKAGE_PYTHON_PY_PYC),y)