diff --git a/scripts/mk_win_dist.py b/scripts/mk_win_dist.py
index fb42750e3..3cc020adb 100644
--- a/scripts/mk_win_dist.py
+++ b/scripts/mk_win_dist.py
@@ -245,7 +245,7 @@ def cp_vs_runtime_core(x64):
         
     else:
         platform = "x86"
-    vcdir = subprocess.check_output(['echo', '%VCINSTALLDIR%'], shell=True).rstrip('\r\n')
+    vcdir = os.environ['VCINSTALLDIR']
     path  = '%sredist\\%s' % (vcdir, platform)
     VS_RUNTIME_FILES = []
     os.path.walk(path, cp_vs_runtime_visitor, '*.dll')