diff --git a/bitbake/lib/bb/__init__.py b/bitbake/lib/bb/__init__.py
index eef45fe4..7d9bc147 100644
--- a/bitbake/lib/bb/__init__.py
+++ b/bitbake/lib/bb/__init__.py
@@ -12,8 +12,9 @@
 __version__ = "2.8.0"
 
 import sys
-if sys.version_info < (3, 8, 0):
-    raise RuntimeError("Sorry, python 3.8.0 or later is required for this version of bitbake")
+# It was 3.8.0 originally but set to 3.7.3 for Debian Buster
+if sys.version_info < (3, 7, 3):
+    raise RuntimeError("Sorry, python 3.7.3 or later is required for this version of bitbake")
 
 if sys.version_info < (3, 10, 0):
     # With python 3.8 and 3.9, we see errors of "libgcc_s.so.1 must be installed for pthread_cancel to work"