diff --git a/scipy.spec b/scipy.spec
index 0d75d57..bc2b6d0 100644
--- a/scipy.spec
+++ b/scipy.spec
@@ -1,6 +1,15 @@
 # without means enabled
 %bcond_with doc
 
+# Pythran is an optional build dependency.
+# When used, it makes some modules faster,
+# but it is usually not available soon enough for new major Python versions.
+%if 0%{?rhel}
+%bcond_with pythran
+%else
+%bcond_without pythran
+%endif
+
 # The code is not safe to build with LTO
 %global _lto_cflags %{nil}
 
@@ -25,7 +34,7 @@
 Summary:    Scientific Tools for Python
 Name:       scipy
 Version:    1.11.3
-Release:    7%{?dist}
+Release:    8%{?dist}
 
 # BSD-3-Clause -- whole package except:
 # BSD-2-Clause -- scipy/_lib/_pep440.py
@@ -129,13 +138,15 @@ Scipy test files
 %prep
 %autosetup -p1 -n %{name}-%{version}%{?rcver}
 
-# Remove pythran dependency
+# Remove pythran dependency if not explicitly required
+%if %{without pythran}
 sed -i '/pythran/d' pyproject.toml
+%endif
 
 cat >> pyproject.toml << EOF
 
 [tool.meson-python.args]
-setup = ['-Dblas=%{blaslib}%{blasvar}', '-Dlapack=%{blaslib}%{blasvar}', '-Duse-pythran=false']
+setup = ['-Dblas=%{blaslib}%{blasvar}', '-Dlapack=%{blaslib}%{blasvar}'%{!?with_pythran:, '-Duse-pythran=false'}]
 EOF
 
 # Enable build with Python 3.13+
@@ -291,6 +302,10 @@ popd
 %endif
 
 %changelog
+* Thu May 02 2024 Pavel Simovec <psimovec@redhat.com> - 1.11.3-8
+- Build without pythran in RHEL by default
+- Resolves: RHEL-33955
+
 * Fri Apr 26 2024 Pavel Simovec <psimovec@redhat.com> - 1.11.3-7
 - Fully remove pythran dependency
 - Resolves: RHEL-33955