diff --git a/Lib/distutils/command/install_lib.py b/Lib/distutils/command/install_lib.py
index a603b4f59ee..2c92f3fe4a8 100644
--- a/Lib/distutils/command/install_lib.py
+++ b/Lib/distutils/command/install_lib.py
@@ -56,7 +56,8 @@ class install_lib (Command):
         outfiles = self.install()
 
         # (Optionally) compile .py to .pyc
-        self.bytecompile(outfiles)
+        if outfiles is not None:
+            self.bytecompile(outfiles)
 
     # run ()