diff --git a/pkgs/development/python-modules/pycairo/1.18.nix b/pkgs/development/python-modules/pycairo/1.18.nix
index 0a51c78c584d..9da4da1479c0 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/python-modules/pycairo/1.18.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/python-modules/pycairo/1.18.nix
@@ -37,7 +37,10 @@ buildPythonPackage rec {
   ];
 
   mesonFlags = [
-    "-Dpython=${python.interpreter}"
+    # This is only used for figuring out what version of Python is in
+    # use, and related stuff like figuring out what the install prefix
+    # should be, but it does need to be able to execute Python code.
+    "-Dpython=${python.pythonForBuild.interpreter}"
   ];
 
   meta = with lib; {
diff --git a/pkgs/top-level/python2-packages.nix b/pkgs/top-level/python2-packages.nix
index 3558cf2a2215..6ee041b0e53f 100644
--- a/pkgs/top-level/python2-packages.nix
+++ b/pkgs/top-level/python2-packages.nix
@@ -420,7 +420,7 @@ with self; with super; {
   pyblosxom = callPackage ../development/python-modules/pyblosxom { };
 
   pycairo = callPackage ../development/python-modules/pycairo/1.18.nix {
-    inherit (pkgs) meson;
+    inherit (pkgs.buildPackages) meson;
   };
 
   pycangjie = disabled pycangjie;