Root shell sees pip but sudo pip "command not found"

Question

I have installed python 2.7.8 via make and make install and then pip via get-pip. I have to note that I work behind a proxy which I have set up via

• http_proxy
• ftp_proxy
• https_proxy

in

• my user's ~/.zshrc
• root's /root/.basrc

now I am able to run pip

• on my user account
• on root account

but I am not able to run it via my user's shell using sudo

sudo pip
sudo: pip: command not found

What is wrong here?

Answer 1

That'll be because the PATH is different when running with sudo. Try comparing:

which pip
env

vs.

sudo which pip
sudo env

One secure workaround is to create a symbolic link to pip in /usr/local/bin or even /usr/bin. If you install pip using a package manager it will do this automatically on several (most?) distros.

• Patryk: thanks, alias sudo='sudo env PATH=$PATH' solved the issue.
• l0b0: There are security issues with that - you don't want to blindly set this in all your environments!
• JulienD: I'm not sure if it was super clear in this answer, but the solution is indeed a ln -s /usr/local/bin/<stuff> /usr/bin/<stuff>