diff --git a/src/pip/_internal/locations/_distutils.py b/src/pip/_internal/locations/_distutils.py
index aac821888d5..1b8b42606d7 100644
--- a/src/pip/_internal/locations/_distutils.py
+++ b/src/pip/_internal/locations/_distutils.py
@@ -3,6 +3,17 @@
 # The following comment should be removed at some point in the future.
 # mypy: strict-optional=False
 
+# If pip's going to use distutils, it should not be using the copy that setuptools
+# might have injected into the environment. This is done by removing the injected
+# shim, if it's injected.
+#
+# See https://github.com/pypa/pip/issues/8761 for the original discussion and
+# rationale for why this is done within pip.
+try:
+    __import__("_distutils_hack").remove_shim()
+except ImportError:
+    pass
+
 import logging
 import os
 import sys