diff --git a/src/PIL/ImageShow.py b/src/PIL/ImageShow.py
index 9117f57e570..9f9a551fb6f 100644
--- a/src/PIL/ImageShow.py
+++ b/src/PIL/ImageShow.py
@@ -178,14 +178,16 @@ def show_file(self, path=None, **options):
             else:
                 raise TypeError("Missing required argument: 'path'")
         subprocess.call(["open", "-a", "Preview.app", path])
-        subprocess.Popen(
-            [
-                sys.executable,
-                "-c",
-                "import os, sys, time; time.sleep(20); os.remove(sys.argv[1])",
-                path,
-            ]
-        )
+        executable = sys.executable or shutil.which("python3")
+        if executable:
+            subprocess.Popen(
+                [
+                    executable,
+                    "-c",
+                    "import os, sys, time; time.sleep(20); os.remove(sys.argv[1])",
+                    path,
+                ]
+            )
         return 1