diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 0a2af02..0015e83 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -41,6 +41,14 @@ AC_ARG_WITH([python-coverage],
 	[python_coverage="coverage2"])
 AC_SUBST(python_coverage)
 
+dnl pip install with build isolation
+AC_ARG_WITH([build-isolation],
+    [AC_HELP_STRING([--with-build-isolation],
+        [run pip with build-isolation @<:@default=yes@:>@])],
+	[build_isolation=$withval],
+	[build_isolation="yes"])
+AM_CONDITIONAL([PIP_BUILD_ISOLATION], [test "$build_isolation" = yes])
+
 dnl ----------------------------------------------------------------------
 dnl CHECK FOR MPI
 if test "$enable_mpi" = "yes" ; then
diff --git a/pythia/Makefile.am b/pythia/Makefile.am
index c301476..1576436 100644
--- a/pythia/Makefile.am
+++ b/pythia/Makefile.am
@@ -1,5 +1,9 @@
+if PIP_BUILD_ISOLATION
+else
+PIP_ISOLATION_FLAG=--no-build-isolation
+endif
 install-exec-local:
-	$(PYTHON) -m pip install --no-build-isolation --prefix=$(prefix) $(top_srcdir)
+	$(PYTHON) -m pip install --prefix=$(prefix) $(PIP_ISOLATION_FLAG) $(top_srcdir)
 
 EXTRA_DIST = \
     __init__.py \