diff --git a/package/x11r7/libxcb/libxcb.mk b/package/x11r7/libxcb/libxcb.mk
index fb691c2422..9a35a72995 100644
--- a/package/x11r7/libxcb/libxcb.mk
+++ b/package/x11r7/libxcb/libxcb.mk
@@ -14,17 +14,17 @@ LIBXCB_INSTALL_STAGING = YES
 
 LIBXCB_DEPENDENCIES = \
 	host-libxslt xcb-proto xlib_libXdmcp xlib_libXau \
-	host-xcb-proto host-python host-pkgconf
+	host-xcb-proto host-python3 host-pkgconf
 HOST_LIBXCB_DEPENDENCIES = \
 	host-libxslt host-xcb-proto host-xlib_libXdmcp \
-	host-xlib_libXau host-python host-pkgconf
+	host-xlib_libXau host-python3 host-pkgconf
 
 LIBXCB_CONF_OPTS = --with-doxygen=no
 HOST_LIBXCB_CONF_OPTS = --with-doxygen=no
 
-# libxcb is not python3 friendly, so force the python interpreter
-HOST_LIBXCB_CONF_OPTS += ac_cv_path_PYTHON=$(HOST_DIR)/bin/python2
-LIBXCB_CONF_OPTS += ac_cv_path_PYTHON=$(HOST_DIR)/bin/python2
+# Force detection of Buildroot host-python3 over system python
+LIBXCB_CONF_OPTS += ac_cv_path_PYTHON=$(HOST_DIR)/bin/python3
+HOST_LIBXCB_CONF_OPTS += ac_cv_path_PYTHON=$(HOST_DIR)/bin/python3
 
 $(eval $(autotools-package))
 $(eval $(host-autotools-package))