diff --git a/inventory/group_vars/buildvm_aarch64 b/inventory/group_vars/buildvm_aarch64
index 1e505f9a6c..3a86381fc3 100644
--- a/inventory/group_vars/buildvm_aarch64
+++ b/inventory/group_vars/buildvm_aarch64
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ dns: 10.5.126.21
 main_bridge: br0
 nfs_bridge: br1
 virt_install_command: "{{ virt_install_command_aarch64_two_nic }}"
+ansible_python_interpreter: "/usr/bin/python3"
 
 # for systems that do not match the above - specify the same parameter in
 # the host_vars/$hostname file