diff --git a/python-pip-run.changes b/python-pip-run.changes
index caebb1d..a0fea38 100644
--- a/python-pip-run.changes
+++ b/python-pip-run.changes
@@ -1,3 +1,8 @@
+-------------------------------------------------------------------
+Thu Aug 21 10:15:31 UTC 2025 - Markéta Machová <mmachova@suse.com>
+
+- Convert to libalternatives on SLE-16-based and newer systems only
+
 -------------------------------------------------------------------
 Sat Jul 19 07:23:16 UTC 2025 - Markéta Machová <mmachova@suse.com>
 
diff --git a/python-pip-run.spec b/python-pip-run.spec
index 40d1e2c..febfefd 100644
--- a/python-pip-run.spec
+++ b/python-pip-run.spec
@@ -30,7 +30,11 @@
 %if ( 0%{?suse_version} == 1500 && 0%{?sle_version} >= 150400 ) || 0%{?suse_version} == 1600
 %bcond_without ringdisabled
 %endif
+%if 0%{?suse_version} > 1500
 %bcond_without libalternatives
+%else
+%bcond_with libalternatives
+%endif
 %{?sle15_python_module_pythons}
 Name:           python-pip-run%{psuffix}
 Version:        8.8.2
@@ -49,15 +53,20 @@ BuildRequires:  %{python_module pip}
 BuildRequires:  %{python_module setuptools >= 56}
 BuildRequires:  %{python_module setuptools_scm >= 3.4.1}
 BuildRequires:  %{python_module wheel}
-BuildRequires:  alts
 BuildRequires:  fdupes
 BuildRequires:  python-rpm-macros
-Requires:       alts
 Requires:       python-autocommand
 Requires:       python-packaging
 Requires:       python-path >= 15.1
 Requires:       python-pip >= 19.3
 BuildArch:      noarch
+%if %{with libalternatives}
+BuildRequires:  alts
+Requires:       alts
+%else
+Requires(post): update-alternatives
+Requires(postun): update-alternatives
+%endif
 %if 0%{?python_version_nodots} < 38
 Requires:       python-importlib-metadata
 %endif
@@ -116,6 +125,12 @@ dont_test=""
 %pre
 %python_libalternatives_reset_alternative pip-run
 
+%post
+%python_install_alternative pip-run
+
+%postun
+%python_uninstall_alternative pip-run
+
 %if !%{with test}
 %files %{python_files}
 %license LICENSE