diff --git a/Lib/site.py b/Lib/site.py
index a6ffb59..0d1ea39 100644
--- a/Lib/site.py
+++ b/Lib/site.py
@@ -94,7 +94,8 @@
 # (especially for Guido :-)
 # XXX This should not be part of site.py, since it is needed even when
 # using the -S option for Python.  See http://www.python.org/sf/586680
-if os.name == "posix" and os.path.basename(sys.path[-1]) == "Modules":
+if (os.name == "posix" and sys.path and 
+    os.path.basename(sys.path[-1]) == "Modules"):
     from distutils.util import get_platform
     s = "build/lib.%s-%.3s" % (get_platform(), sys.version)
     s = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(sys.path[-1]), s)