diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/glib/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/glib/package.py
index e517f0a693..a8bb034f04 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/glib/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/glib/package.py
@@ -81,9 +81,10 @@ def url_for_version(self, version):
     def configure_args(self):
         args = []
         args.extend(self.enable_or_disable('libmount'))
-        args.append('--with-python={0}'.format(
-            os.path.basename(self.spec['python'].command.path))
-        )
+        if self.spec.satisfies('@2.53.4:'):
+            args.append('--with-python={0}'.format(
+                os.path.basename(self.spec['python'].command.path))
+            )
         args.extend(self.enable_or_disable('tracing'))
         return args