diff -r 97a45bfa62a8 setup.py
--- a/setup.py	Mon Jun 07 10:50:45 2021 -0400
+++ b/setup.py	Wed Jun 09 19:59:21 2021 -0400
@@ -49,6 +49,30 @@
     script = module.replace('_', '-')
     return '%s = roundup.scripts.%s:run' % (script, module)
 
+def make_data_files_absolute(data_files, prefix):
+    new_data_files = [ (os.path.join(prefix,df[0]),df[1])
+                       for df in data_files ]
+
+    return new_data_files
+
+def get_prefix():
+    prefix_arg=False
+    prefix=""
+    for a in sys.argv:
+        if prefix_arg:
+            prefix=a
+            break
+        if a.startswith('--prefix'):
+            if a == '--prefix':
+                # next argument is prefix
+                prefix_arg=True
+                continue
+            else:
+                prefix=a[9:]
+    if prefix:
+        return prefix
+    else:
+        return sys.prefix
 
 def main():
     # template munching
@@ -93,6 +117,8 @@
     data_files.append(include('share/doc/roundup/html/_sources', '*'))
     data_files.append(include('share/doc/roundup/html/_static', '*'))
 
+    data_files = make_data_files_absolute(data_files, get_prefix())
+
     # perform the setup action
     from roundup import __version__