diff --git a/src/python/grpcio_tests/commands.py b/src/python/grpcio_tests/commands.py
index af0ffe34750..40f9b834546 100644
--- a/src/python/grpcio_tests/commands.py
+++ b/src/python/grpcio_tests/commands.py
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
 # OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
 """Provides distutils command classes for the gRPC Python setup process."""
 
-import distutils
+from distutils import errors as _errors
 import glob
 import os
 import os.path
@@ -186,7 +186,7 @@ class RunInterop(test.test):
 
     def finalize_options(self):
         if self.client and self.server:
-            raise DistutilsOptionError(
+            raise _errors.DistutilsOptionError(
                 'you may only specify one of client or server')
 
     def run(self):