diff --git a/net/openmpi/Makefile b/net/openmpi/Makefile
index ee1d15b1e670..5f4011130fe9 100644
--- a/net/openmpi/Makefile
+++ b/net/openmpi/Makefile
@@ -20,10 +20,12 @@ LIB_DEPENDS=	libhwloc.so.15:devel/hwloc2 \
 
 # :keepla because port uses lt_dlopen
 USES=		compiler:c11 fortran gmake libtool:keepla localbase perl5 \
-		pkgconfig shebangfix tar:bzip2
+		pkgconfig python:build shebangfix tar:bzip2
 
 CONFLICTS_INSTALL=	openmpi4-4*
 
+BINARY_ALIAS=	python3=${PYTHON_CMD}
+
 USE_PERL5=	build
 
 MPIBASE?=	mpi