diff --git a/cmake/OpenCVDetectPython.cmake b/cmake/OpenCVDetectPython.cmake
index d02b7596a6..31c2c1e778 100644
--- a/cmake/OpenCVDetectPython.cmake
+++ b/cmake/OpenCVDetectPython.cmake
@@ -38,7 +38,9 @@ if(PYTHON_EXECUTABLE)
 
   if(NOT ANDROID AND NOT IOS)
     ocv_check_environment_variables(PYTHON_LIBRARY PYTHON_INCLUDE_DIR)
-    if(CMAKE_VERSION VERSION_GREATER 2.8.8 AND PYTHON_VERSION_FULL)
+    if(CMAKE_CROSSCOMPILING)
+      find_host_package(PythonLibs ${PYTHON_VERSION_MAJOR_MINOR})
+    elseif(CMAKE_VERSION VERSION_GREATER 2.8.8 AND PYTHON_VERSION_FULL)
       find_host_package(PythonLibs ${PYTHON_VERSION_FULL} EXACT)
     else()
       find_host_package(PythonLibs ${PYTHON_VERSION_FULL})