diff --git a/salt/client/ssh/ssh_py_shim.py b/salt/client/ssh/ssh_py_shim.py
index <HASH>..<HASH> 100644
--- a/salt/client/ssh/ssh_py_shim.py
+++ b/salt/client/ssh/ssh_py_shim.py
@@ -237,7 +237,7 @@ def get_executable():
             continue
         c_vn = tuple([int(x) for x in stdout.split(':')])
         for ns in pymap:
-            if c_vn >= pymap[ns] and os.path.exists(os.path.join(OPTIONS.saltdir, ns)):
+            if c_vn[0] == pymap[ns][0] and c_vn >= pymap[ns] and os.path.exists(os.path.join(OPTIONS.saltdir, ns)):
                 return py_cmd
 
     sys.exit(EX_THIN_PYTHON_INVALID)
require same major version while minor is allowed to be higher