diff --git a/tox.ini b/tox.ini
index 549dd4ed..e158f90f 100644
--- a/tox.ini
+++ b/tox.ini
@@ -7,7 +7,10 @@ ignore_basepython_conflict = True
 usedevelop = True
 basepython = python3
 passenv = PBR_INTEGRATION PIPFLAGS PIPVERSION PBRVERSION REPODIR WHEELHOUSE PROJECTS
+# TODO(fungi): drop distutils override once logging improves in Setuptools
+#              https://github.com/pypa/setuptools/issues/3038
 setenv =
+  SETUPTOOLS_USE_DISTUTILS=stdlib
   OS_STDOUT_CAPTURE={env:OS_STDOUT_CAPTURE:1}
   OS_STDERR_CAPTURE={env:OS_STDERR_CAPTURE:1}
   OS_TEST_TIMEOUT={env:OS_TEST_TIMEOUT:60}
@@ -40,7 +43,10 @@ commands =
 commands = {posargs}
 
 [testenv:cover]
+# TODO(fungi): drop distutils override once logging improves in Setuptools
+#              https://github.com/pypa/setuptools/issues/3038
 setenv =
+  SETUPTOOLS_USE_DISTUTILS=stdlib
   PYTHON=coverage run --source pbr --parallel-mode
 commands =
   stestr run {posargs}