diff --git a/modules/python/package/cv2/__init__.py b/modules/python/package/cv2/__init__.py
index 5220e38553..d367998b0b 100644
--- a/modules/python/package/cv2/__init__.py
+++ b/modules/python/package/cv2/__init__.py
@@ -68,6 +68,13 @@ def bootstrap():
         sys.path.insert(1, p)
 
     if os.name == 'nt':
+        if sys.version_info[:2] >= (3, 8):  # https://github.com/python/cpython/pull/12302
+            for p in l_vars['BINARIES_PATHS']:
+                try:
+                    os.add_dll_directory(p)
+                except Exception as e:
+                    if DEBUG: print('Failed os.add_dll_directory(): '+ str(e))
+                    pass
         os.environ['PATH'] = ';'.join(l_vars['BINARIES_PATHS']) + ';' + os.environ.get('PATH', '')
         if DEBUG: print('OpenCV loader: PATH={}'.format(str(os.environ['PATH'])))
     else:
diff --git a/modules/python/package/setup.py b/modules/python/package/setup.py
index 33a3208225..6bd06c65b7 100644
--- a/modules/python/package/setup.py
+++ b/modules/python/package/setup.py
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@ def main():
           'Programming Language :: Python :: 3.5',
           'Programming Language :: Python :: 3.6',
           'Programming Language :: Python :: 3.7',
+          'Programming Language :: Python :: 3.8',
           'Programming Language :: C++',
           'Programming Language :: Python :: Implementation :: CPython',
           'Topic :: Scientific/Engineering',
diff --git a/samples/_winpack_run_python_sample.cmd b/samples/_winpack_run_python_sample.cmd
index 5e84e2e954..a42c0c61cf 100644
--- a/samples/_winpack_run_python_sample.cmd
+++ b/samples/_winpack_run_python_sample.cmd
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ IF %ERRORLEVEL% EQU 0 (
   GOTO :PYTHON_FOUND
 )
 
+CALL :QUERY_PYTHON 3.8
+IF %ERRORLEVEL% EQU 0 GOTO :PYTHON_FOUND
 CALL :QUERY_PYTHON 3.7
 IF %ERRORLEVEL% EQU 0 GOTO :PYTHON_FOUND
 CALL :QUERY_PYTHON 3.6