diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/cmd/create.py b/lib/spack/spack/cmd/create.py
index da74ceb2f6..51bf17a44b 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/cmd/create.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/cmd/create.py
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ def install(self, spec, prefix):
 
     'python': """\
         # FIXME: Add logic to build and install here.
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix={0}'.format(prefix))""",
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix={0}'.format(prefix))""",
 
     'R': """\
         # FIXME: Add logic to build and install here.