diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/build_systems/python.py b/lib/spack/spack/build_systems/python.py
index 666c73f7393..4641f851724 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/build_systems/python.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/build_systems/python.py
@@ -113,6 +113,9 @@ def view_file_conflicts(self, view, merge_map):
         return conflicts
 
     def add_files_to_view(self, view, merge_map, skip_if_exists=True):
+        if not self.extendee_spec:
+            return super().add_files_to_view(view, merge_map, skip_if_exists)
+
         bin_dir = self.spec.prefix.bin
         python_prefix = self.extendee_spec.prefix
         python_is_external = self.extendee_spec.external