diff --git a/inc/python b/inc/python
index 0348cb389f..4a107ac8ec 100644
--- a/inc/python
+++ b/inc/python
@@ -31,6 +31,13 @@ function get_pip_command {
 # Get the path to the direcotry where python executables are installed.
 # get_python_exec_prefix
 function get_python_exec_prefix {
+    local xtrace=$(set +o | grep xtrace)
+    set +o xtrace
+    if [[ -z "$os_PACKAGE" ]]; then
+        GetOSVersion
+    fi
+    $xtrace
+
     if is_fedora || is_suse; then
         echo "/usr/bin"
     else
@@ -39,8 +46,8 @@ function get_python_exec_prefix {
 }
 
 # Wrapper for ``pip install`` to set cache and proxy environment variables
-# Uses globals ``INSTALL_TESTONLY_PACKAGES``, ``OFFLINE``, ``TRACK_DEPENDS``,
-# ``*_proxy``
+# Uses globals ``INSTALL_TESTONLY_PACKAGES``, ``OFFLINE``, ``PIP_VIRTUAL_ENV``,
+# ``TRACK_DEPENDS``, ``*_proxy``
 # pip_install package [package ...]
 function pip_install {
     local xtrace=$(set +o | grep xtrace)
@@ -62,8 +69,13 @@ function pip_install {
         local cmd_pip=$DEST/.venv/bin/pip
         local sudo_pip="env"
     else
-        local cmd_pip=$(get_pip_command)
-        local sudo_pip="sudo -H"
+        if [[ -n ${PIP_VIRTUAL_ENV:=} && -d ${PIP_VIRTUAL_ENV} ]]; then
+            local cmd_pip=$PIP_VIRTUAL_ENV/bin/pip
+            local sudo_pip="env"
+        else
+            local cmd_pip=$(get_pip_command)
+            local sudo_pip="sudo -H"
+        fi
     fi
 
     local pip_version=$(python -c "import pip; \
@@ -93,6 +105,7 @@ function pip_install {
                 -r $test_req
         fi
     fi
+    $xtrace
 }
 
 # should we use this library from their git repo, or should we let it