diff --git a/python/install_python_bindings.py b/python/install_python_bindings.py
index cac032751..a8a7a387b 100755
--- a/python/install_python_bindings.py
+++ b/python/install_python_bindings.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-#!/usr/bin/env python
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
 
 """
  setup a python binding development in-place install with cargo debug symbols.
diff --git a/set_core_version.py b/set_core_version.py
index d1f4eb099..2006ac9a8 100644
--- a/set_core_version.py
+++ b/set_core_version.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-#!/usr/bin/env python
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
 
 import os
 import sys