diff --git a/Cantera/python/SConscript b/Cantera/python/SConscript
index 36344b903..3e85fc583 100644
--- a/Cantera/python/SConscript
+++ b/Cantera/python/SConscript
@@ -41,4 +41,18 @@ pymodule = localenv.SharedLibrary('Cantera/_cantera', ['src/pycantera.cpp'],
 buildTargets.extend(pymodule)
 
 localenv.AddPreAction(pymodule, make_ctconf)
-localenv.AddPostAction(pymodule, 'cd Cantera/python; python setup.py build')
+localenv.AddPostAction(pymodule, 'cd Cantera/python; $python_cmd setup.py build')
+
+if env['cantera_python_home'] is None:
+    # Install Python module in the default location
+    extra = ''
+elif env['cantera_python_home'] == env['prefix']:
+    # Cantera is being installed with a non-default prefix
+    extra = '--prefix=' + env['prefix']
+else:
+    # A specific location for the Cantera python module has been specified
+    extra = '--home=' + env['cantera_python_home']
+
+inst = localenv.Command('dummy', pymodule,
+                        'cd Cantera/python; $python_cmd setup.py install %s' % extra)
+installTargets.extend(inst)
diff --git a/SConstruct b/SConstruct
index 0619dd854..d0864f7c2 100644
--- a/SConstruct
+++ b/SConstruct
@@ -3,6 +3,15 @@ import platform, sys, os
 
 env = Environment()
 
+# ******************************************************
+# *** Set system-dependent defaults for some options ***
+# ******************************************************
+
+if os.name == 'posix':
+    env['default_prefix'] = '/usr/local'
+elif os.name == 'nt':
+    env['default_prefix'] = os.environ['ProgramFiles']
+
 # **************************************
 # *** Read user-configurable options ***
 # **************************************
@@ -10,9 +19,9 @@ env = Environment()
 opts = Variables('cantera.conf')
 opts.AddVariables(
     PathVariable('prefix', 'Where to install Cantera',
-                 '/usr/local', PathVariable.PathIsDirCreate),
-    EnumVariable('python_package', 'build python package?', 'default',
-                 ('full', 'minimal', 'none', 'default')),
+                 env['default_prefix'], PathVariable.PathIsDirCreate),
+    EnumVariable('python_package', 'build python package?', 'full',
+                 ('full', 'minimal', 'none')),
     PathVariable('python_cmd', 'Path to the python interpreter', sys.executable),
     EnumVariable('matlab_toolbox', '', 'n', ('y', 'n', 'default')),
     BoolVariable('f90_interface', 'Build Fortran90 interface?', False),
@@ -81,18 +90,22 @@ opts.AddVariables(
 opts.Update(env)
 
 # Additional options that apply only if building the full python package
+if env['prefix'] == env['default_prefix']:
+    pyprefix = None
+else:
+    pyprefix = env['prefix']
+
 if env['python_package'] in ('full', 'default'):
     opts.AddVariables(
         EnumVariable('python_array', 'Which Python array package to use',
                      'numpy', ('numpy', 'numarray', 'numeric')),
-        BoolVariable('set_python_site_package_topdir', '', False),
-        PathVariable('python_site_package_topdir', '', '/usr/local'),
         PathVariable('python_array_home',
                      'Location for array package (e.g. if installed with --home)',
                      None, PathVariable.PathAccept),
         PathVariable('cantera_python_home', 'where to install the python package',
-                     None, PathVariable.PathAccept),
+                     pyprefix, PathVariable.PathAccept)
         )
+
     env['BUILD_PYTHON'] = 3
 elif env['python_package'] == 'minimal':
     env['BUILD_PYTHON'] = 1