diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 8a8b6ce01..9dce69903 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -428,14 +428,6 @@ add_subdirectory(CppUnitLite)
 if(GTSAM_BUILD_PYTHON)
     list(APPEND CMAKE_MODULE_PATH "${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}/wrap/cmake")
     add_subdirectory(python)
-    if(CMAKE_SYSTEM_NAME STREQUAL "Linux" OR CMAKE_SYSTEM_NAME STREQUAL "Darwin")
-        # Common directory which always has write access
-        # This is because the exact location of the Python installation may vary
-        # depending on various factors such as python version and use of virtual envs.
-        set(GTSAM_PYTHON_DATASET_DIR "/tmp/gtsam_example_data")
-    elseif(CMAKE_SYSTEM_NAME STREQUAL "Windows")
-        set(GTSAM_PYTHON_DATASET_DIR "$ENV{LOCALAPPDATA}/gtsam_example_data")
-    endif()
 endif()
 
 # Build GTSAM library
diff --git a/python/CMakeLists.txt b/python/CMakeLists.txt
index 23898f61d..6fad7ba45 100644
--- a/python/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/python/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -4,6 +4,17 @@ if (NOT GTSAM_BUILD_PYTHON)
     return()
 endif()
 
+# Common directory for storing data stored with the package.
+# This is because the exact location of the Python installation may vary
+# depending on various factors such as python version and use of virtual envs.
+if(CMAKE_SYSTEM_NAME STREQUAL "Linux" OR CMAKE_SYSTEM_NAME STREQUAL "Darwin")
+    # Easy directory with write access.
+    set(GTSAM_PYTHON_DATASET_DIR "/tmp/gtsam_example_data")
+elseif(CMAKE_SYSTEM_NAME STREQUAL "Windows")
+    # %LocalAppData% directory in Windows.
+    set(GTSAM_PYTHON_DATASET_DIR "$ENV{LOCALAPPDATA}/gtsam_example_data")
+endif()
+
 # Generate setup.py.
 file(READ "${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/README.md" README_CONTENTS)
 configure_file(${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/python/setup.py.in