Seems python is also needed for other bits, e.g. [ 42s] make[1]: Entering directory '/home/abuild/rpmbuild/BUILD/mesa-18.0.0-rc4/src' [ 42s] updating git_sha1.h [ 42s] /usr/bin/env: 'python': No such file or directory [ 42s] make[1]: *** [Makefile:1154: git_sha1.h] Error 127 I guess it's just a wrong information, that python isn't needed for building release tarballs ...