diff --git a/inventory/group_vars/buildvm_ppc64le b/inventory/group_vars/buildvm_ppc64le
index 28aadea18c..34b56c202d 100644
--- a/inventory/group_vars/buildvm_ppc64le
+++ b/inventory/group_vars/buildvm_ppc64le
@@ -33,3 +33,6 @@ mem_size: 20480
 num_cpus: 8
 virt_install_command: "{{ virt_install_command_ppc64le_one_nic_unsafe }}"
 volgroup: /dev/vg_guests
+
+# ansible variables
+ansible_python_interpreter: /usr/bin/python3