diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index 944e7fa2..462b1e95 100644
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -82,7 +82,11 @@
     with_cython = True
 try:
     from Cython.Distutils.extension import Extension as _Extension
-    from Cython.Distutils import build_ext as _build_ext
+    try:
+        from Cython.Distutils.old_build_ext import old_build_ext as _build_ext
+    except ImportError:
+        from Cython.Distutils import build_ext as _build_ext
+
     with_cython = True
 except ImportError:
     if with_cython: