diff --git a/bin/pyenv-virtualenv b/bin/pyenv-virtualenv
index a250658..38464d1 100755
--- a/bin/pyenv-virtualenv
+++ b/bin/pyenv-virtualenv
@@ -101,6 +101,10 @@ http_get_wget() {
 }
 
 version() {
+  if [[ -z "${PYENV_VERSION:-}" ]]; then
+    # `PYENV_VERSION` might not be declared if this was invoked via `--version`
+    export PYENV_VERSION="$(pyenv-version-name)"
+  fi
   detect_venv
   local version
   if [ -n "${USE_CONDA}" ]; then
@@ -108,7 +112,7 @@ version() {
     echo "pyenv-virtualenv ${PYENV_VIRTUALENV_VERSION} (conda ${version:-unknown})"
   else
     if [ -n "$USE_M_VENV" ]; then
-      echo "pyenv-virtualenv ${PYENV_VIRTUALENV_VERSION} (python -m venv)"
+      echo "pyenv-virtualenv ${PYENV_VIRTUALENV_VERSION} (${M_VENV_PYTHON_BIN:-python} -m venv)"
     else
       version="$(pyenv-exec virtualenv --version 2>/dev/null || true)"
       echo "pyenv-virtualenv ${PYENV_VIRTUALENV_VERSION} (virtualenv ${version:-unknown})"
@@ -123,7 +127,7 @@ usage() {
     pyenv-exec conda create --help 2>/dev/null || true
   else
     if [ -n "${USE_M_VENV}" ]; then
-      pyenv-exec python -m venv --help 2>/dev/null || true
+      pyenv-exec "${M_VENV_PYTHON_BIN:-python}" -m venv --help 2>/dev/null || true
     else
       pyenv-exec virtualenv --help 2>/dev/null || true
     fi
@@ -141,9 +145,15 @@ detect_venv() {
     if [ -x "${prefix}/bin/virtualenv" ]; then
       HAS_VIRTUALENV=1
     fi
-    if pyenv-exec python -m venv --help 1>/dev/null 2>&1; then
-      HAS_M_VENV=1
-    fi
+    # Prefer `python3.x` executable if avaialble (#206, #282)
+    local python
+    for python in "python${PYENV_VERSION%.*}" "python${PYENV_VERSION%%.*}" "python"; do
+      if pyenv-exec "${python}" -m venv --help 1>/dev/null 2>&1; then
+        HAS_M_VENV=1
+        M_VENV_PYTHON_BIN="${python}"
+        break
+      fi
+    done
   fi
   # Use `python -m venv` only if there is venv available, virtualenv is not installed, and `-p` not given
   if [ -n "${HAS_CONDA}" ]; then
@@ -553,7 +563,7 @@ if [ -n "${USE_CONDA}" ]; then
   pyenv-exec conda create $QUIET $VERBOSE --name "${VIRTUALENV_PATH##*/}" --yes "${VIRTUALENV_OPTIONS[@]}" python || STATUS="$?"
 else
   if [ -n "${USE_M_VENV}" ]; then
-    pyenv-exec python -m venv $QUIET $VERBOSE "${VIRTUALENV_OPTIONS[@]}" "${VIRTUALENV_PATH}" || STATUS="$?"
+    pyenv-exec "${M_VENV_PYTHON_BIN:-python}" -m venv $QUIET $VERBOSE "${VIRTUALENV_OPTIONS[@]}" "${VIRTUALENV_PATH}" || STATUS="$?"
   else
     pyenv-exec virtualenv $QUIET $VERBOSE "${VIRTUALENV_OPTIONS[@]}" "${VIRTUALENV_PATH}" || STATUS="$?"
   fi
diff --git a/test/envs.bats b/test/envs.bats
index 325aa33..93bc114 100644
--- a/test/envs.bats
+++ b/test/envs.bats
@@ -25,15 +25,15 @@ unstub_pyenv() {
   stub pyenv-version-name "echo '${PYENV_VERSION}'"
   stub pyenv-prefix " : echo '${PYENV_ROOT}/versions/${PYENV_VERSION}'"
   stub pyenv-virtualenv-prefix " : false"
-  stub pyenv-exec "python -m venv --help : true"
-  stub pyenv-exec "python -m venv * : echo PYENV_VERSION=\${PYENV_VERSION} \"\$@\";mkdir -p \${PYENV_ROOT}/versions/3.5.1/envs/venv/bin"
+  stub pyenv-exec "python3.5 -m venv --help : true"
+  stub pyenv-exec "python3.5 -m venv * : echo PYENV_VERSION=\${PYENV_VERSION} \"\$@\";mkdir -p \${PYENV_ROOT}/versions/3.5.1/envs/venv/bin"
   stub pyenv-exec "python -s -m ensurepip : echo PYENV_VERSION=\${PYENV_VERSION} \"\$@\";touch \${PYENV_ROOT}/versions/3.5.1/envs/venv/bin/pip"
 
   run pyenv-virtualenv venv
 
   assert_success
   assert_output <<OUT
-PYENV_VERSION=3.5.1 python -m venv ${PYENV_ROOT}/versions/3.5.1/envs/venv
+PYENV_VERSION=3.5.1 python3.5 -m venv ${PYENV_ROOT}/versions/3.5.1/envs/venv
 PYENV_VERSION=3.5.1/envs/venv python -s -m ensurepip
 rehashed
 OUT
diff --git a/test/hooks.bats b/test/hooks.bats
index 9a5e9eb..44352fe 100644
--- a/test/hooks.bats
+++ b/test/hooks.bats
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ OUT
   create_executable "3.5.1" "virtualenv"
   stub pyenv-prefix "echo '${PYENV_ROOT}/versions/3.5.1'"
   stub pyenv-prefix "echo '${PYENV_ROOT}/versions/3.5.1'"
-  stub pyenv-exec "python -m venv --help : true"
+  stub pyenv-exec "python3.5 -m venv --help : true"
   stub pyenv-hooks "virtualenv : echo '$HOOK_PATH'/virtualenv.bash"
   stub pyenv-exec "echo PYENV_VERSION=3.5.1 \"\$@\""
   stub pyenv-exec "echo PYENV_VERSION=3.5.1 \"\$@\""
diff --git a/test/pip.bats b/test/pip.bats
index a4a94fd..491613c 100644
--- a/test/pip.bats
+++ b/test/pip.bats
@@ -26,15 +26,15 @@ unstub_pyenv() {
   stub_pyenv "${PYENV_VERSION}"
   stub pyenv-prefix " : echo '${PYENV_ROOT}/versions/${PYENV_VERSION}'"
   stub pyenv-virtualenv-prefix " : false"
-  stub pyenv-exec "python -m venv --help : true"
-  stub pyenv-exec "python -m venv * : echo PYENV_VERSION=\${PYENV_VERSION} \"\$@\";mkdir -p \${PYENV_ROOT}/versions/3.5.1/envs/venv/bin"
+  stub pyenv-exec "python3.5 -m venv --help : true"
+  stub pyenv-exec "python3.5 -m venv * : echo PYENV_VERSION=\${PYENV_VERSION} \"\$@\";mkdir -p \${PYENV_ROOT}/versions/3.5.1/envs/venv/bin"
   stub pyenv-exec "python -s -m ensurepip : echo PYENV_VERSION=\${PYENV_VERSION} \"\$@\";touch \${PYENV_ROOT}/versions/3.5.1/envs/venv/bin/pip"
 
   run pyenv-virtualenv venv
 
   assert_success
   assert_output <<OUT
-PYENV_VERSION=3.5.1 python -m venv ${PYENV_ROOT}/versions/3.5.1/envs/venv
+PYENV_VERSION=3.5.1 python3.5 -m venv ${PYENV_ROOT}/versions/3.5.1/envs/venv
 PYENV_VERSION=3.5.1/envs/venv python -s -m ensurepip
 rehashed
 OUT
@@ -52,8 +52,8 @@ OUT
   stub_pyenv "${PYENV_VERSION}"
   stub pyenv-prefix " : echo '${PYENV_ROOT}/versions/${PYENV_VERSION}'"
   stub pyenv-virtualenv-prefix " : false"
-  stub pyenv-exec "python -m venv --help : true"
-  stub pyenv-exec "python -m venv * : echo PYENV_VERSION=\${PYENV_VERSION} \"\$@\";mkdir -p \${PYENV_ROOT}/versions/3.3.6/envs/venv/bin"
+  stub pyenv-exec "python3.3 -m venv --help : true"
+  stub pyenv-exec "python3.3 -m venv * : echo PYENV_VERSION=\${PYENV_VERSION} \"\$@\";mkdir -p \${PYENV_ROOT}/versions/3.3.6/envs/venv/bin"
   stub pyenv-exec "python -s -m ensurepip : false"
   stub pyenv-exec "python -s */get-pip.py : echo PYENV_VERSION=\${PYENV_VERSION} \"\$@\";touch \${PYENV_ROOT}/versions/3.3.6/envs/venv/bin/pip"
   stub curl true
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ OUT
 
   assert_success
   assert_output <<OUT
-PYENV_VERSION=3.3.6 python -m venv ${PYENV_ROOT}/versions/3.3.6/envs/venv
+PYENV_VERSION=3.3.6 python3.3 -m venv ${PYENV_ROOT}/versions/3.3.6/envs/venv
 Installing pip from https://bootstrap.pypa.io/3.3/get-pip.py...
 PYENV_VERSION=3.3.6/envs/venv python -s ${TMP}/pyenv/cache/get-pip.py
 rehashed
diff --git a/test/python.bats b/test/python.bats
index 9e2589d..abd0e71 100644
--- a/test/python.bats
+++ b/test/python.bats
@@ -31,6 +31,8 @@ teardown() {
   create_executable "2.7.8" "python2.7"
   remove_executable "2.7.9" "python2.7"
 
+  stub pyenv-exec "python2.7 -m venv --help : false"
+  stub pyenv-exec "python2 -m venv --help : false"
   stub pyenv-exec "python -m venv --help : false"
   stub pyenv-exec "virtualenv --verbose * : echo PYENV_VERSION=\${PYENV_VERSION} \"\$@\""
   stub pyenv-exec "python -s -m ensurepip : true"
@@ -56,6 +58,8 @@ OUT
   remove_executable "2.7.8" "python2.7"
   create_executable "2.7.9" "python2.7"
 
+  stub pyenv-exec "python2.7 -m venv --help : false"
+  stub pyenv-exec "python2 -m venv --help : false"
   stub pyenv-exec "python -m venv --help : false"
   stub pyenv-exec "virtualenv --verbose * : echo PYENV_VERSION=\${PYENV_VERSION} \"\$@\""
   stub pyenv-exec "python -s -m ensurepip : true"
diff --git a/test/pyvenv.bats b/test/pyvenv.bats
index 01eb676..53e7bd3 100644
--- a/test/pyvenv.bats
+++ b/test/pyvenv.bats
@@ -26,14 +26,14 @@ unstub_pyenv() {
   stub_pyenv "${PYENV_VERSION}"
   stub pyenv-prefix " : echo '${PYENV_ROOT}/versions/${PYENV_VERSION}'"
   stub pyenv-virtualenv-prefix " : false"
-  stub pyenv-exec "python -m venv --help : true"
-  stub pyenv-exec "python -m venv * : echo PYENV_VERSION=\${PYENV_VERSION} \"\$@\""
+  stub pyenv-exec "python3.5 -m venv --help : true"
+  stub pyenv-exec "python3.5 -m venv * : echo PYENV_VERSION=\${PYENV_VERSION} \"\$@\""
   stub pyenv-exec "python -s -m ensurepip : true"
 
   run pyenv-virtualenv venv
 
   assert_output <<OUT
-PYENV_VERSION=3.5.1 python -m venv ${PYENV_ROOT}/versions/3.5.1/envs/venv
+PYENV_VERSION=3.5.1 python3.5 -m venv ${PYENV_ROOT}/versions/3.5.1/envs/venv
 rehashed
 OUT
   assert [ -x "${PYENV_ROOT}/versions/3.5.1/envs/venv/bin/pydoc" ]
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ OUT
   stub_pyenv "${PYENV_VERSION}"
   stub pyenv-prefix " : echo '${PYENV_ROOT}/versions/${PYENV_VERSION}'"
   stub pyenv-virtualenv-prefix " : false"
-  stub pyenv-exec "python -m venv --help : true"
+  stub pyenv-exec "python3.5 -m venv --help : true"
   stub pyenv-exec "virtualenv * : echo PYENV_VERSION=\${PYENV_VERSION} \"\$@\""
   stub pyenv-exec "python -s -m ensurepip : true"
 
@@ -77,6 +77,8 @@ OUT
   stub_pyenv "${PYENV_VERSION}"
   stub pyenv-prefix " : echo '${PYENV_ROOT}/versions/${PYENV_VERSION}'"
   stub pyenv-virtualenv-prefix " : false"
+  stub pyenv-exec "python3.2 -m venv --help : false"
+  stub pyenv-exec "python3 -m venv --help : false"
   stub pyenv-exec "python -m venv --help : false"
   stub pyenv-exec "pip install virtualenv* : echo PYENV_VERSION=\${PYENV_VERSION} \"\$@\""
   stub pyenv-exec "virtualenv * : echo PYENV_VERSION=\${PYENV_VERSION} \"\$@\""
@@ -103,7 +105,7 @@ OUT
   stub_pyenv "${PYENV_VERSION}"
   stub pyenv-prefix " : echo '${PYENV_ROOT}/versions/${PYENV_VERSION}'"
   stub pyenv-virtualenv-prefix " : false"
-  stub pyenv-exec "python -m venv --help : true"
+  stub pyenv-exec "python3.5 -m venv --help : true"
   stub pyenv-exec "pip install virtualenv : echo PYENV_VERSION=\${PYENV_VERSION} \"\$@\""
   stub pyenv-exec "virtualenv * : echo PYENV_VERSION=\${PYENV_VERSION} \"\$@\""
   stub pyenv-exec "python -s -m ensurepip : true"
@@ -130,7 +132,7 @@ OUT
   stub_pyenv "${PYENV_VERSION}"
   stub pyenv-prefix " : echo '${PYENV_ROOT}/versions/${PYENV_VERSION}'"
   stub pyenv-virtualenv-prefix " : false"
-  stub pyenv-exec "python -m venv --help : true"
+  stub pyenv-exec "python3.5 -m venv --help : true"
   stub pyenv-exec "pip install virtualenv : echo PYENV_VERSION=\${PYENV_VERSION} \"\$@\""
   stub pyenv-exec "virtualenv * : echo PYENV_VERSION=\${PYENV_VERSION} \"\$@\""
   stub pyenv-exec "python -s -m ensurepip : true"
@@ -157,6 +159,8 @@ OUT
   stub_pyenv "${PYENV_VERSION}"
   stub pyenv-prefix " : echo '${PYENV_ROOT}/versions/${PYENV_VERSION}'"
   stub pyenv-virtualenv-prefix " : false"
+  stub pyenv-exec "python3.2 -m venv --help : false"
+  stub pyenv-exec "python3 -m venv --help : false"
   stub pyenv-exec "python -m venv --help : false"
   stub pyenv-exec "pip install virtualenv* : echo PIP_REQUIRE_VENV=\${PIP_REQUIRE_VENV} PYENV_VERSION=\${PYENV_VERSION} \"\$@\""
   stub pyenv-exec "virtualenv * : echo PIP_REQUIRE_VENV=\${PIP_REQUIRE_VENV} PYENV_VERSION=\${PYENV_VERSION} \"\$@\""
diff --git a/test/version.bats b/test/version.bats
index 05b5c83..26f03e6 100644
--- a/test/version.bats
+++ b/test/version.bats
@@ -9,6 +9,9 @@ setup() {
 @test "display virtualenv version" {
   setup_virtualenv "2.7.7"
   stub pyenv-prefix "echo '${PYENV_ROOT}/versions/2.7.7'"
+  stub pyenv-version-name "echo 2.7.7"
+  stub pyenv-exec "python2.7 -m venv --help : false"
+  stub pyenv-exec "python2 -m venv --help : false"
   stub pyenv-exec "python -m venv --help : false"
   stub pyenv-exec "virtualenv --version : echo \"1.11\""
 
@@ -24,13 +27,14 @@ setup() {
 
 @test "display venv version" {
   setup_m_venv "3.4.1"
+  stub pyenv-version-name "echo 3.4.1"
   stub pyenv-prefix "echo '${PYENV_ROOT}/versions/3.4.1'"
-  stub pyenv-exec "python -m venv --help : true"
+  stub pyenv-exec "python3.4 -m venv --help : true"
 
   run pyenv-virtualenv --version
 
   assert_success
-  [[ "$output" == "pyenv-virtualenv "?.?.?" (python -m venv)" ]]
+  [[ "$output" == "pyenv-virtualenv "?.?.?" (python3.4 -m venv)" ]]
 
   unstub pyenv-prefix
   teardown_m_venv "3.4.1"
diff --git a/test/virtualenv.bats b/test/virtualenv.bats
index e04691b..c22e563 100644
--- a/test/virtualenv.bats
+++ b/test/virtualenv.bats
@@ -26,6 +26,8 @@ unstub_pyenv() {
   export PYENV_VERSION="2.7.11"
   stub_pyenv "${PYENV_VERSION}"
   stub pyenv-virtualenv-prefix " : false"
+  stub pyenv-exec "python2.7 -m venv --help : false"
+  stub pyenv-exec "python2 -m venv --help : false"
   stub pyenv-exec "python -m venv --help : false"
   stub pyenv-exec "virtualenv * : echo PYENV_VERSION=\${PYENV_VERSION} \"\$@\""
   stub pyenv-exec "python -s -m ensurepip : false"
@@ -53,6 +55,8 @@ OUT
   stub_pyenv "${PYENV_VERSION}"
   stub pyenv-version-name "echo \${PYENV_VERSION}"
   stub pyenv-virtualenv-prefix " : false"
+  stub pyenv-exec "python2.7 -m venv --help : false"
+  stub pyenv-exec "python2 -m venv --help : false"
   stub pyenv-exec "python -m venv --help : false"
   stub pyenv-exec "virtualenv * : echo PYENV_VERSION=\${PYENV_VERSION} \"\$@\""
   stub pyenv-exec "python -s -m ensurepip : false"
@@ -81,6 +85,8 @@ OUT
   stub_pyenv "${PYENV_VERSION}"
   stub pyenv-version-name "echo \${PYENV_VERSION}"
   stub pyenv-virtualenv-prefix " : false"
+  stub pyenv-exec "python2.7 -m venv --help : false"
+  stub pyenv-exec "python2 -m venv --help : false"
   stub pyenv-exec "python -m venv --help : false"
   stub pyenv-exec "virtualenv * : echo PYENV_VERSION=\${PYENV_VERSION} \"\$@\""
   stub pyenv-exec "python -s -m ensurepip : false"
@@ -109,6 +115,8 @@ OUT
   stub_pyenv "${PYENV_VERSION}"
   stub pyenv-version-name "echo \${PYENV_VERSION}"
   stub pyenv-virtualenv-prefix " : false"
+  stub pyenv-exec "python2.7 -m venv --help : false"
+  stub pyenv-exec "python2 -m venv --help : false"
   stub pyenv-exec "python -m venv --help : false"
   stub pyenv-exec "virtualenv * : echo PYENV_VERSION=\${PYENV_VERSION} \"\$@\""
   stub pyenv-exec "python -s -m ensurepip : false"
@@ -172,6 +180,8 @@ OUT
   export PYENV_VERSION="2.7.11"
   stub_pyenv "${PYENV_VERSION}"
   stub pyenv-virtualenv-prefix " : false"
+  stub pyenv-exec "python2.7 -m venv --help : false"
+  stub pyenv-exec "python2 -m venv --help : false"
   stub pyenv-exec "python -m venv --help : false"
   stub pyenv-exec "virtualenv * : echo PYENV_VERSION=\${PYENV_VERSION} \"\$@\""
   stub pyenv-exec "python -s -m ensurepip : false"