diff --git a/package/omniorb/omniorb.mk b/package/omniorb/omniorb.mk
index fa2492f2b9..5b58da5001 100644
--- a/package/omniorb/omniorb.mk
+++ b/package/omniorb/omniorb.mk
@@ -14,6 +14,10 @@ OMNIORB_DEPENDENCIES = host-omniorb
 HOST_OMNIORB_DEPENDENCIES = host-python
 OMNIORB_INSTALL_TARGET = YES
 
+# omniorb is not python3 friendly, so force the python interpreter
+OMNIORB_CONF_OPT = ac_cv_path_PYTHON=$(HOST_DIR)/usr/bin/python2
+HOST_OMNIORB_CONF_OPT = ac_cv_path_PYTHON=$(HOST_DIR)/usr/bin/python2
+
 # Defaulting long double support to a safe option for the
 # mix of embedded targets, this could later be automated
 # based on checking the capability of the cross toolchain