diff --git a/setup/__init__.py b/setup/__init__.py
index 0ddb5931c3..560b7084f8 100644
--- a/setup/__init__.py
+++ b/setup/__init__.py
@@ -176,6 +176,7 @@ class Command:
     SRC = SRC
     RESOURCES = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(SRC), 'resources')
     description = ''
+    drop_privileges_for_subcommands = False
 
     sub_commands = []
 
@@ -202,15 +203,6 @@ class Command:
         if self.real_uid is not None:
             os.seteuid(int(self.real_uid))
 
-    def regain_privileges(self):
-        if not islinux or ismacos or isfreebsd:
-            return
-        if os.geteuid() != 0 and self.orig_euid == 0:
-            self.info('Trying to get root privileges')
-            os.seteuid(0)
-            if os.getegid() != 0:
-                os.setegid(0)
-
     def pre_sub_commands(self, opts):
         pass
 
@@ -225,8 +217,26 @@ class Command:
     def run_cmd(self, cmd, opts):
         from setup.commands import command_names
         cmd.pre_sub_commands(opts)
-        for scmd in cmd.sub_commands:
-            self.run_cmd(scmd, opts)
+        if self.drop_privileges_for_subcommands and self.orig_euid is not None and os.getuid() == 0 and self.real_uid is not None:
+            if self.real_user is not None:
+                self.info('Dropping privileges to those of', self.real_user+':', self.real_uid)
+
+            pid = os.fork()
+            if pid == 0:
+                if self.real_gid is not None:
+                    os.setgid(int(self.real_gid))
+                if self.real_uid is not None:
+                    os.setuid(int(self.real_uid))
+                for scmd in cmd.sub_commands:
+                    self.run_cmd(scmd, opts)
+                raise SystemExit(0)
+            else:
+                rpid, st = os.waitpid(pid, 0)
+                if code := os.waitstatus_to_exitcode(st) != 0:
+                    sys.exit(code)
+        else:
+            for scmd in cmd.sub_commands:
+                self.run_cmd(scmd, opts)
 
         st = time.time()
         self.running(cmd)
diff --git a/setup/build_environment.py b/setup/build_environment.py
index 553c41c2e8..78640e8771 100644
--- a/setup/build_environment.py
+++ b/setup/build_environment.py
@@ -109,10 +109,13 @@ def consolidate(envvar, default):
     return [x for x in ans if x and os.path.exists(x)]
 
 
-qraw = subprocess.check_output([QMAKE, '-query']).decode('utf-8')
+qraw = None
 
 
 def readvar(name):
+    global qraw
+    if qraw is None:
+        qraw = subprocess.check_output([QMAKE, '-query']).decode('utf-8')
     return re.search(f'^{name}:(.+)$', qraw, flags=re.M).group(1).strip()
 
 
diff --git a/setup/install.py b/setup/install.py
index e9e14f9184..5717ad1d86 100644
--- a/setup/install.py
+++ b/setup/install.py
@@ -60,6 +60,7 @@ class Develop(Command):
             ''')
     short_description = 'Setup a development environment for calibre'
     MODE = 0o755
+    drop_privileges_for_subcommands = True
 
     sub_commands = ['build', 'resources', 'iso639', 'iso3166', 'gui',]
 
@@ -128,13 +129,6 @@ class Develop(Command):
                     'supported on linux. On other platforms, see the User Manual'
                     ' for help with setting up a development environment.')
             raise SystemExit(1)
-
-        if os.geteuid() == 0:
-            # We drop privileges for security, regaining them when installing
-            # files. Also ensures that any config files created as a side
-            # effect of the build process are not owned by root.
-            self.drop_privileges()
-
         # Ensure any config files created as a side effect of importing calibre
         # during the build process are in /tmp
         os.environ['CALIBRE_CONFIG_DIRECTORY'] = os.environ.get('CALIBRE_CONFIG_DIRECTORY', '/tmp/calibre-install-config')
@@ -142,7 +136,6 @@ class Develop(Command):
     def run(self, opts):
         self.manifest = []
         self.opts = opts
-        self.regain_privileges()
         self.consolidate_paths()
         self.install_files()
         self.write_templates()