diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index 060e33a23..03f8e8e14 100644
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -53,6 +53,14 @@ if sys.version_info < (2, 5):
     print('ERROR: Sphinx requires at least Python 2.5 to run.')
     sys.exit(1)
 
+# tell distribute to use 2to3 with our own fixers
+extra = {}
+if sys.version_info >= (3, 0):
+    extra.update(
+        use_2to3=True,
+        use_2to3_fixers=['custom_fixers']
+    )
+
 # Provide a "compile_catalog" command that also creates the translated
 # JavaScript files if Babel is available.
 
@@ -189,6 +197,5 @@ setup(
     },
     install_requires=requires,
     cmdclass=cmdclass,
-    use_2to3=True,
-    use_2to3_fixers=['custom_fixers'],
+    **extra
 )