diff --git a/build.py b/build.py
index 06905a11..56d54a17 100644
--- a/build.py
+++ b/build.py
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ from optparse import OptionParser
 import shutil
 from multiprocessing import Pool
 
-from setuptools import sandbox
+import subprocess
 from hscommon import sphinxgen
 from hscommon.build import (
     add_to_pythonpath,
@@ -118,7 +118,12 @@ def build_normpo():
 def build_pe_modules():
     print("Building PE Modules")
     # Leverage setup.py to build modules
-    sandbox.run_setup("setup.py", ["build_ext", "--inplace"])
+    result = subprocess.run(
+        [sys.executable, "setup.py", "build_ext", "--inplace"],
+        check=True,
+    )
+    if result.returncode != 0:
+        sys.exit("Error building PE modules. Please check the output above.")
 
 
 def build_normal():