diff --git a/lib/fpm/package/python.rb b/lib/fpm/package/python.rb
index 480be19ec4..8ea323bbf1 100644
--- a/lib/fpm/package/python.rb
+++ b/lib/fpm/package/python.rb
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ def load_package_info(setup_py)
       output = %x{#{setup_cmd}}
       if !$?.success?
         @logger.error("setup.py get_metadata failed", :command => setup_cmd,
-                      :exitcode => $?.exitcode)
+                      :exitcode => $?.exitstatus)
         raise "An unexpected error occurred while processing the setup.py file"
       end
       output