--- Python-2.7.15-orig/Python/pythonrun.c
+++ Python-2.7.15/Python/pythonrun.c
@@ -180,6 +182,49 @@
     char buf[128];
 #endif
     extern void _Py_ReadyTypes(void);
+    char *py2_allow_flag = getenv("RHEL_ALLOW_PYTHON2_FOR_BUILD");
+
+    // Fail unless a specific workaround is applied
+    if ((!py2_allow_flag || strcmp(py2_allow_flag, "1") != 0)
+        && (strstr(Py_GetProgramName(), "for-tests") == NULL)
+    ) {
+        fprintf(stderr,
+            "\n"
+            "ERROR: Python 2 is disabled in RHEL8.\n"
+            "\n"
+            "- For guidance on porting to Python 3, see the\n"
+            "    Conservative Python3 Porting Guide:\n"
+            "    http://portingguide.readthedocs.io/\n"
+            "\n"
+            "- If you need Python 2 at runtime:\n"
+            "   - Use the python27 module\n"
+            "\n"
+            "- If you do not have access to BZ#1533919:\n"
+            "   - Use the python27 module\n"
+            "\n"
+            "- If you need to use Python 2 only at RPM build time:\n"
+            "   - File a bug blocking BZ#1533919:\n"
+            "       https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1533919\n"
+            "   - Set the environment variable RHEL_ALLOW_PYTHON2_FOR_BUILD=1\n"
+            "       (Note that if you do not file the bug as above,\n"
+            "       this workaround will break without warning in the future.)\n"
+            "\n"
+            "- If you need to use Python 2 only for tests:\n"
+            "   - File a bug blocking BZ#1533919:\n"
+            "       https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1533919\n"
+            "     (If your test tool does not have a Bugzilla component,\n"
+            "        feel free to use `python2`.)\n"
+            "   - Use /usr/bin/python2-for-tests instead of python2 to run\n"
+            "       your tests.\n"
+            "       (Note that if you do not file the bug as above,\n"
+            "       this workaround will break without warning in the future.)\n"
+            "\n"
+            "For details, see https://hurl.corp.redhat.com/rhel8-py2\n"
+            "\n"
+        );
+        fflush(stderr);
+        Py_FatalError("Python 2 is disabled");
+    }
 
     if (initialized)
         return;