diff --git a/third_party/systemlibs/jsoncpp.BUILD b/third_party/systemlibs/jsoncpp.BUILD
index cf91917cfb4..526fd0c418c 100644
--- a/third_party/systemlibs/jsoncpp.BUILD
+++ b/third_party/systemlibs/jsoncpp.BUILD
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ genrule(
     cmd = """
       for i in $(OUTS); do
         i=$${i##*/}
-        ln -vsf /usr/include/jsoncpp/json/$$i $(@D)/include/json/$$i
+        ln -sf $(INCLUDEDIR)/jsoncpp/json/$$i $(@D)/include/json/$$i
       done
     """,
 )
diff --git a/tools/bazel.rc b/tools/bazel.rc
index 601e07ffdde..ccf62629d1e 100644
--- a/tools/bazel.rc
+++ b/tools/bazel.rc
@@ -67,3 +67,8 @@ build -c opt
 
 # Modular TF build options
 build:dynamic_kernels --define=dynamic_loaded_kernels=true
+
+# Default paths for TF_SYSTEM_LIBS
+build --define=PREFIX=/usr
+build --define=LIBDIR=$(PREFIX)/lib
+build --define=INCLUDEDIR=$(PREFIX)/include