--- Python-2.2.3/Python/import.c	2003-03-23 15:32:56.000000000 +0100
+++ Python-2.2.3/Python/import.c	2003-10-21 20:15:42.000000000 +0200
@@ -719,6 +719,7 @@
 write_compiled_module(PyCodeObject *co, char *cpathname, long mtime)
 {
 	FILE *fp;
+	char *py_dontcompile;
 
 	if (CANT_WRITE(co->co_argcount) ||
 	    CANT_WRITE(co->co_nlocals) ||
@@ -731,8 +732,14 @@
 				cpathname);
 		return;
 	}
-
-	fp = open_exclusive(cpathname);
+	if ((py_dontcompile = getenv("PYTHON_DONTCOMPILE")) == NULL)
+		fp = open_exclusive(cpathname);
+	else {
+		if (Py_VerboseFlag)
+			PySys_WriteStderr(
+				"# PYTHON_DONTCOMPILE is set: won't create %s\n", cpathname);
+		return;
+	}
 	if (fp == NULL) {
 		if (Py_VerboseFlag)
 			PySys_WriteStderr(