diff --git a/Lib/test/test_venv.py b/Lib/test/test_venv.py
index 1084a99..e13cd8c 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_venv.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_venv.py
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 import os
 import os.path
 import shutil
+import struct
 import subprocess
 import sys
 import tempfile
@@ -87,6 +88,14 @@
         self.isdir(self.bindir)
         self.isdir(self.include)
         self.isdir(*self.lib)
+        # Issue 21197
+        p = self.get_env_file('lib64')
+        conditions = ((struct.calcsize('P') == 8) and (os.name == 'posix') and
+                      (sys.platform != 'darwin'))
+        if conditions:
+            self.assertTrue(os.path.islink(p))
+        else:
+            self.assertFalse(os.path.exists(p))
         data = self.get_text_file_contents('pyvenv.cfg')
         if sys.platform == 'darwin' and ('__PYVENV_LAUNCHER__'
                                          in os.environ):
diff --git a/Lib/venv/__init__.py b/Lib/venv/__init__.py
index bbdd911..20dafc0 100644
--- a/Lib/venv/__init__.py
+++ b/Lib/venv/__init__.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 """
 Virtual environment (venv) package for Python. Based on PEP 405.
 
-Copyright (C) 2011-2012 Vinay Sajip.
+Copyright (C) 2011-2014 Vinay Sajip.
 Licensed to the PSF under a contributor agreement.
 
 usage: python -m venv [-h] [--system-site-packages] [--symlinks] [--clear]
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@
 import logging
 import os
 import shutil
+import struct
 import subprocess
 import sys
 import types
@@ -132,10 +133,18 @@
         else:
             binname = 'bin'
             incpath = 'include'
-            libpath = os.path.join(env_dir, 'lib', 'python%d.%d' % sys.version_info[:2], 'site-packages')
+            libpath = os.path.join(env_dir, 'lib',
+                                   'python%d.%d' % sys.version_info[:2],
+                                   'site-packages')
         context.inc_path = path = os.path.join(env_dir, incpath)
         create_if_needed(path)
         create_if_needed(libpath)
+        # Issue 21197: create lib64 as a symlink to lib on 64-bit non-OS X POSIX
+        if ((struct.calcsize('P') == 8) and (os.name == 'posix') and
+            (sys.platform != 'darwin')):
+            p = os.path.join(env_dir, 'lib')
+            link_path = os.path.join(env_dir, 'lib64')
+            os.symlink(p, link_path)
         context.bin_path = binpath = os.path.join(env_dir, binname)
         context.bin_name = binname
         context.env_exe = os.path.join(binpath, exename)
diff --git a/Misc/NEWS b/Misc/NEWS
index a158999..26377fe 100644
--- a/Misc/NEWS
+++ b/Misc/NEWS
@@ -41,6 +41,8 @@
 Library
 -------
 
+- Issue #21197: Add lib64 -> lib symlink in venvs on 64-bit non-OS X POSIX.
+
 - Issue #17498: Some SMTP servers disconnect after certain errors, violating
   strict RFC conformance.  Instead of losing the error code when we issue the
   subsequent RSET, smtplib now returns the error code and defers raising the