diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 32aaf608..0a84fccf 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1906,7 +1906,7 @@ Default: `[]`
 let g:ycm_extra_conf_vim_data = []
 ```
 
-### The `g:ycm_path_to_python_interpreter` option
+### The `g:ycm_server_python_interpreter` option
 
 YCM will by default search for an appropriate Python interpreter on your system.
 You can use this option to override that behavior and force the use of a
@@ -1919,7 +1919,7 @@ Vim.
 Default: `''`
 
 ```viml
-let g:ycm_path_to_python_interpreter = ''
+let g:ycm_server_python_interpreter = ''
 ```
 
 ### The `g:ycm_server_keep_logfiles` option
@@ -2359,7 +2359,7 @@ If building for Python 3 but loading in Python 2:
 ImportError: dynamic module does not define init function (initycm_core)
 ```
 
-Setting the `g:ycm_path_to_python_interpreter` option to force the use of a
+Setting the `g:ycm_server_python_interpreter` option to force the use of a
 specific Python interpreter for `ycmd` is usually the easiest way to solve the
 problem. Common values for that option are `/usr/bin/python` and
 `/usr/bin/python3`.
diff --git a/doc/youcompleteme.txt b/doc/youcompleteme.txt
index b6775ed2..a8740dd0 100644
--- a/doc/youcompleteme.txt
+++ b/doc/youcompleteme.txt
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ Contents ~
   19. The |g:ycm_collect_identifiers_from_tags_files| option
   20. The |g:ycm_seed_identifiers_with_syntax| option
   21. The |g:ycm_extra_conf_vim_data| option
-  22. The |g:ycm_path_to_python_interpreter| option
+  22. The |g:ycm_server_python_interpreter| option
   23. The |g:ycm_server_keep_logfiles| option
   24. The |g:ycm_server_log_level| option
   25. The |g:ycm_auto_start_csharp_server| option
@@ -2166,7 +2166,7 @@ Default: '[]'
   let g:ycm_extra_conf_vim_data = []
 <
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-The *g:ycm_path_to_python_interpreter* option
+The *g:ycm_server_python_interpreter* option
 
 YCM will by default search for an appropriate Python interpreter on your
 system. You can use this option to override that behavior and force the use of
@@ -2178,7 +2178,7 @@ Vim.
 
 Default: "''"
 >
-  let g:ycm_path_to_python_interpreter = ''
+  let g:ycm_server_python_interpreter = ''
 <
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 The *g:ycm_server_keep_logfiles* option
@@ -2591,7 +2591,7 @@ If building for Python 3 but loading in Python 2:
 >
   ImportError: dynamic module does not define init function (initycm_core)
 <
-Setting the |g:ycm_path_to_python_interpreter| option to force the use of a
+Setting the |g:ycm_server_python_interpreter| option to force the use of a
 specific Python interpreter for 'ycmd' is usually the easiest way to solve the
 problem. Common values for that option are '/usr/bin/python' and
 '/usr/bin/python3'.
diff --git a/plugin/youcompleteme.vim b/plugin/youcompleteme.vim
index 8e5ebc25..dbfbd065 100644
--- a/plugin/youcompleteme.vim
+++ b/plugin/youcompleteme.vim
@@ -126,8 +126,9 @@ let g:ycm_server_keep_logfiles =
 let g:ycm_extra_conf_vim_data =
       \ get( g:, 'ycm_extra_conf_vim_data', [] )
 
-let g:ycm_path_to_python_interpreter =
-      \ get( g:, 'ycm_path_to_python_interpreter', '' )
+let g:ycm_server_python_interpreter =
+      \ get( g:, 'ycm_server_python_interpreter',
+      \ get( g:, 'ycm_path_to_python_interpreter', '' ) )
 
 let g:ycm_show_diagnostics_ui =
       \ get( g:, 'ycm_show_diagnostics_ui',
diff --git a/python/ycm/paths.py b/python/ycm/paths.py
index 6fd98c9a..a5d19061 100644
--- a/python/ycm/paths.py
+++ b/python/ycm/paths.py
@@ -54,13 +54,13 @@ def Memoize( obj ):
 def PathToPythonInterpreter():
   from ycmd import utils
 
-  python_interpreter = vim.eval( 'g:ycm_path_to_python_interpreter' )
+  python_interpreter = vim.eval( 'g:ycm_server_python_interpreter' )
 
   if python_interpreter:
     if IsPythonVersionCorrect( python_interpreter ):
       return python_interpreter
 
-    raise RuntimeError( "Path in 'g:ycm_path_to_python_interpreter' option "
+    raise RuntimeError( "Path in 'g:ycm_server_python_interpreter' option "
                         "does not point to a valid Python 2.6+ or 3.3+." )
 
   # On UNIX platforms, we use sys.executable as the Python interpreter path.
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ def PathToPythonInterpreter():
     return python_interpreter
 
   raise RuntimeError( "Cannot find Python 2.6+ or 3.3+. You can set its path "
-                      "using the 'g:ycm_path_to_python_interpreter' "
+                      "using the 'g:ycm_server_python_interpreter' "
                       "option." )
 
 
diff --git a/python/ycm/test_utils.py b/python/ycm/test_utils.py
index 1bb5cd9c..5787ee38 100644
--- a/python/ycm/test_utils.py
+++ b/python/ycm/test_utils.py
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ def MockGetBufferWindowNumber( buffer_number ):
 def MockVimEval( value ):
   if value == "g:ycm_min_num_of_chars_for_completion":
     return 0
-  if value == "g:ycm_path_to_python_interpreter":
+  if value == "g:ycm_server_python_interpreter":
     return ''
   if value == "tempname()":
     return '_TEMP_FILE_'