diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index fcf982c8df..fc09c23fb8 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -112,3 +112,6 @@ keys/
 
 # metadata
 _emscripten_sdk/
+
+# virtual Python environment
+.venv
diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 6038d225ea..066a36a0f4 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -162,6 +162,12 @@ else
 
 endif
 
+# Prefer the interpreter from an active Python virtual environment.
+# Otherwise leave PYTHON_EXECUTABLE unset and let CMake resolve Python.
+ifneq ($(strip $(VIRTUAL_ENV)),)
+	PYTHON_EXECUTABLE ?= $(VIRTUAL_ENV)/bin/python
+endif
+
 # Pick up specific Python path if set
 ifdef PYTHON_EXECUTABLE
 	override CMAKE_ARGS += -DPYTHON_EXECUTABLE=${PYTHON_EXECUTABLE}