diff --git a/Lib/distutils/sysconfig.py b/Lib/distutils/sysconfig.py
index 1f0d145..558ff29 100644
--- a/Lib/distutils/sysconfig.py
+++ b/Lib/distutils/sysconfig.py
@@ -94,7 +94,10 @@
         if standard_lib:
             return os.path.join(prefix, "Lib")
         else:
-            return prefix
+            if sys.version < "2.2":
+                return prefix
+            else:
+                return os.path.join(PREFIX, "Lib", "site-packages")
 
     elif os.name == "mac":
         if plat_specific: