diff --git a/tools/archive_desugar_jdk_libs.py b/tools/archive_desugar_jdk_libs.py
index c34c7ef..1254c0c 100755
--- a/tools/archive_desugar_jdk_libs.py
+++ b/tools/archive_desugar_jdk_libs.py
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@
             'Target archive directory %s already exists' % destination)
 
       bazel = os.path.join(utils.BAZEL_TOOL, 'lib', 'bazel', 'bin', 'bazel')
-      cmd = [bazel, 'build', 'maven_release']
+      cmd = [bazel, 'build', '--host_force_python=PY2', 'maven_release']
       utils.PrintCmd(cmd)
       subprocess.check_call(cmd)
       cmd = [bazel, 'shutdown']