diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index 12c8b1087..9d2c910e1 100755
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -19,6 +19,11 @@
 import os
 import os.path as op
 
+# Newer packaging standards may recommend removing the current dir from the
+# path, add it back if needed.
+if '' not in sys.path:
+    sys.path.insert(0, '')
+
 import setup_build, setup_configure