diff --git a/setup/alternatives_set_python.sh b/setup/alternatives_set_python.sh
index a507067f..401bf98e 100755
--- a/setup/alternatives_set_python.sh
+++ b/setup/alternatives_set_python.sh
@@ -24,6 +24,15 @@ sudo=""
 
 #$sudo ln -sv `type -P python2` /usr/local/bin/python
 
+alternatives(){
+    # not available on Alpine
+    if type -P alternatives &>/dev/null; then
+        $sudo alternatives --set python "$@"
+    else
+        $sudo ln -sv "$1" /usr/local/bin/python
+    fi
+}
+
 if ! type -P python &>/dev/null; then
     set +e
     python2="$(type -P python2 2>/dev/null)"
@@ -31,10 +40,14 @@ if ! type -P python &>/dev/null; then
     set -e
     if [ -n "$python3" ]; then
         echo "alternatives: setting python -> $python3"
-        $sudo alternatives --set python "$python3"
+        # using function wrapper instead for Alpine
+        #$sudo alternatives --set python "$python3"
+        alternatives "$python3"
     elif [ -n "$python2" ]; then
         echo "alternatives: setting python -> $python2"
-        $sudo alternatives --set python "$python2"
+        # using function wrapper instead for Alpine
+        #$sudo alternatives --set python "$python2"
+        alternatives "$python2"
     fi
 fi