diff --git a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
index 325d14dbc9..f7c77d1354 100644
--- a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
+++ b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ How does this pull request fix your problem? Did you consider any alternatives?
 ### The checklist
 
 * [ ] Associated issue
-* [ ] A news fragment in the `news/` directory to describe this fix with the extension `.bugfix`, `.feature`, `.behavior`, `.doc`. `.vendor`. or `.trivial` (this will appear in the release changelog). Use semantic line breaks and name the file after the issue number or the PR #.
+* [ ] A news fragment in the `news/` directory to describe this fix with the extension `.bugfix.rst`, `.feature.rst`, `.behavior.rst`, `.doc.rst`. `.vendor.rst`. or `.trivial.rst` (this will appear in the release changelog). Use semantic line breaks and name the file after the issue number or the PR #.
 
 <!--
 ### If this is a patch to the `vendor` directory...
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index f9e7cc1e19..64fdcb47c5 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ Or, if you\'re using FreeBSD:
 Or, if you\'re using Gentoo:
 
     sudo emerge pipenv
-    
+
 Or, if you\'re using Void Linux:
 
     sudo xbps-install -S python3-pipenv
diff --git a/news/5261.bugfix.rst b/news/5261.bugfix.rst
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..fac2ce9b0d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/news/5261.bugfix.rst
@@ -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)