diff --git a/backend/start.sh b/backend/start.sh
index 4588e4c34..84d5ec895 100755
--- a/backend/start.sh
+++ b/backend/start.sh
@@ -65,4 +65,6 @@ if [ -n "$SPACE_ID" ]; then
   export WEBUI_URL=${SPACE_HOST}
 fi
 
-WEBUI_SECRET_KEY="$WEBUI_SECRET_KEY" exec uvicorn open_webui.main:app --host "$HOST" --port "$PORT" --forwarded-allow-ips '*' --workers "${UVICORN_WORKERS:-1}"
+PYTHON_CMD=$(command -v python3 || command -v python)
+
+WEBUI_SECRET_KEY="$WEBUI_SECRET_KEY" exec "$PYTHON_CMD" -m uvicorn open_webui.main:app --host "$HOST" --port "$PORT" --forwarded-allow-ips '*' --workers "${UVICORN_WORKERS:-1}"