diff --git a/colcon_core/python_install_path.py b/colcon_core/python_install_path.py
index 09a2710e..122615d8 100644
--- a/colcon_core/python_install_path.py
+++ b/colcon_core/python_install_path.py
@@ -23,5 +23,11 @@ def get_python_install_path(name, vars_=()):
     if 'deb_system' in sysconfig.get_scheme_names() or \
             'osx_framework_library' in sysconfig.get_scheme_names():
         kwargs['scheme'] = 'posix_prefix'
+    # The presence of the rpm_prefix scheme indicates that posix_prefix
+    # has been patched to inject `local` into the installation locations.
+    # The rpm_prefix scheme is a backup of what posix_prefix was before it was
+    # patched.
+    elif 'rpm_prefix' in sysconfig.get_scheme_names():
+        kwargs['scheme'] = 'rpm_prefix'
 
     return Path(sysconfig.get_path(name, **kwargs))