diff --git a/bindings/python/build.py b/bindings/python/build.py
index caea79ce0..7ad2385a1 100644
--- a/bindings/python/build.py
+++ b/bindings/python/build.py
@@ -142,7 +142,11 @@ paths += "__all__ = [mapniklibpath,inputpluginspath,fontscollectionpath]\n"
 
 if not os.path.exists('mapnik'):
     os.mkdir('mapnik')
-file('mapnik/paths.py','w').write(paths % (os.path.relpath(env['MAPNIK_LIB_DIR'],target_path)))
+
+if hasattr(os.path,'relpath'): # python 2.6 and above
+    file('mapnik/paths.py','w').write(paths % (os.path.relpath(env['MAPNIK_LIB_DIR'],target_path)))
+else:
+    file('mapnik/paths.py','w').write(paths % (env['MAPNIK_LIB_DIR']))
 
 # force open perms temporarily so that `sudo scons install`
 # does not later break simple non-install non-sudo rebuild