Why is the installation of the MATLAB Engine API for Python failing?

I'm trying to install MATLAB Engine API for Python with:

D:\>python "C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2017b\extern\engines\python\setup.py" install 

But it is failing with the following error:

running install running build running build_py error: package directory 'dist\matlab' does not exist

Answer 1

[MathWorks Support Team]

Change directory into matlabroot/extern/engines/python and start "python setup.py install" there.

As noted in the 

installation instructions

, "python setup.py install" must be started inside the directory of setup.py. Starting from other locations will result in an error.

By default, the installer builds the engine API for Python in the matlabroot\extern\engines\python folder. The installer installs the engine in the default Python folder. To use non-default folders, refer to:

https://www.mathworks.com/help/matlab/matlab_external/install-the-matlab-engine-for-python.html

[Sean de Wolski]

You need to run Python as an admin.