diff --git a/otel_sdk_build.cmd b/otel_sdk_build.cmd
index 4463cfeef5..2a0f499c5a 100644
--- a/otel_sdk_build.cmd
+++ b/otel_sdk_build.cmd
@@ -5,11 +5,17 @@ set BAZEL_SH=
 set BAZEL_VC=
 set BAZEL_VC_FULL_VERSION=
 
+for /F "delims=" %%i in ("%ComSpec%") do set __COMSPEC_DIR__=%%~dpi
+if "%__COMSPEC_DIR__%"=="" goto:no-comspec
+
+for /F "usebackq delims=" %%i in (`where python`) do set __PYTHON_DIR__=%%~dpi
+if "%__PYTHON_DIR__%"=="" goto:no-python
+
 rem Look first for bazelisk, then bazel
-for /F "usebackq" %%i in (`where bazelisk bazel`) do set __BAZEL__=%%i
+for /F "usebackq delims=" %%i in (`where bazelisk bazel`) do set __BAZEL__=%%i
 if "%__BAZEL__%"=="" goto:no-bazel
 
-set PATH=c:\windows\system32;c:\program files\python312
+set PATH=%__COMSPEC_DIR__%;%__PYTHON_DIR__%
 pushd "%~dp0"
 
 "%__BAZEL__%" build -k --//:with_dll=true ...
@@ -36,7 +42,15 @@ endlocal
 goto:eof
 
 :no-bazel
-echo FAILED: No bazel.exe found!
+echo FAILED: No bazelisk or bazel found!
+goto:eof
+
+:no-python
+echo FAILED: No python found!
+goto:eof
+
+:no-comspec
+echo FAILED: No ComSpec env var set!
 goto:eof
 
 :error