diff --git a/test/functional/rpc_users.py b/test/functional/rpc_users.py
index 62d86467f..9af7b85d5 100755
--- a/test/functional/rpc_users.py
+++ b/test/functional/rpc_users.py
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ import subprocess
 from random import SystemRandom
 import string
 import configparser
+import sys
 
 
 class HTTPBasicsTest(BitcoinTestFramework):
@@ -36,7 +37,7 @@ class HTTPBasicsTest(BitcoinTestFramework):
         config = configparser.ConfigParser()
         config.read_file(open(self.options.configfile))
         gen_rpcauth = config['environment']['RPCAUTH']
-        p = subprocess.Popen([gen_rpcauth, self.user], stdout=subprocess.PIPE, universal_newlines=True)
+        p = subprocess.Popen([sys.executable, gen_rpcauth, self.user], stdout=subprocess.PIPE, universal_newlines=True)
         lines = p.stdout.read().splitlines()
         rpcauth3 = lines[1]
         self.password = lines[3]