diff --git a/tools/run_tests/helper_scripts/build_python.sh b/tools/run_tests/helper_scripts/build_python.sh
index c2a506afd86..a88a7d4d646 100755
--- a/tools/run_tests/helper_scripts/build_python.sh
+++ b/tools/run_tests/helper_scripts/build_python.sh
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ fi
 ############################
 
 # Instantiate the virtualenv from the Python version passed in.
-$PYTHON -m pip install virtualenv
+$PYTHON -m pip install --user virtualenv
 $PYTHON -m virtualenv "$VENV"
 VENV_PYTHON=$(script_realpath "$VENV/$VENV_RELATIVE_PYTHON")