diff --git a/lang/python/python/Makefile b/lang/python/python/Makefile
index 979ccc7714..20b8a1a7d8 100644
--- a/lang/python/python/Makefile
+++ b/lang/python/python/Makefile
@@ -295,7 +295,7 @@ HOST_CONFIGURE_ARGS+= \
 	--prefix=$(HOST_PYTHON_DIR) \
 	--exec-prefix=$(HOST_PYTHON_DIR) \
 	--with-system-expat=$(STAGING_DIR_HOSTPKG) \
-	--with-ensurepip=install \
+	--with-ensurepip=upgrade \
 	CONFIG_SITE=
 
 define Host/Compile
diff --git a/lang/python/python3/Makefile b/lang/python/python3/Makefile
index d151459ed8..5b3dcf3554 100644
--- a/lang/python/python3/Makefile
+++ b/lang/python/python3/Makefile
@@ -289,7 +289,7 @@ HOST_CONFIGURE_ARGS+= \
 	--prefix=$(HOST_PYTHON3_DIR) \
 	--exec-prefix=$(HOST_PYTHON3_DIR) \
 	--with-system-expat=$(STAGING_DIR_HOSTPKG) \
-	--with-ensurepip=install \
+	--with-ensurepip=upgrade \
 	CONFIG_SITE=
 
 define Host/Compile