diff --git a/mesonbuild/modules/python.py b/mesonbuild/modules/python.py
index c51b412fd..9643ebc44 100644
--- a/mesonbuild/modules/python.py
+++ b/mesonbuild/modules/python.py
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 
 import os
 import json
+import shutil
 
 from pathlib import Path
 from .. import mesonlib
@@ -468,6 +469,9 @@ class PythonModule(ExtensionModule):
     def _get_win_pythonpath(self, name_or_path):
         if name_or_path not in ['python2', 'python3']:
             return None
+        if not shutil.which('py'):
+            # program not installed, return without an exception
+            return None
         ver = {'python2': '-2', 'python3': '-3'}[name_or_path]
         cmd = ['py', ver, '-c', "import sysconfig; print(sysconfig.get_config_var('BINDIR'))"]
         _, stdout, _ = mesonlib.Popen_safe(cmd)