diff --git a/news/5261.bugfix b/news/5261.bugfix
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..d30c2823cc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/news/5261.bugfix
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Fix "The Python interpreter can't be found" error when running `pipenv install --system` with a python3 but no python.
diff --git a/pipenv/utils/shell.py b/pipenv/utils/shell.py
index 030fb19b2e..362290fae9 100644
--- a/pipenv/utils/shell.py
+++ b/pipenv/utils/shell.py
@@ -446,6 +446,7 @@ def project_python(project, system=False):
         python = project._which("python")
     else:
         interpreters = [system_which(p) for p in ("python", "python3")]
+        interpreters = [i for i in interpreters if i]  # filter out not found interpreters
         python = interpreters[0] if interpreters else None
     if not python:
         click.secho("The Python interpreter can't be found.", fg="red", err=True)