pip - error: externally-managed-environment
python
ubuntu
pip
Software and digital electronics / Coding
2025-05-22 01:43
On my new ubuntu, when I try to install a new package via pip such as
pip install django
I will get this error:
error: externally-managed-environment
× This environment is externally managed
╰─> To install Python packages system-wide, try apt install
python3-xyz, where xyz is the package you are trying to
install.
If you wish to install a non-Debian-packaged Python package,
create a virtual environment using python3 -m venv path/to/venv.
Then use path/to/venv/bin/python and path/to/venv/bin/pip. Make
sure you have python3-full installed.
If you wish to install a non-Debian packaged Python application,
it may be easiest to use pipx install xyz, which will manage a
virtual environment for you. Make sure you have pipx installed.
See /usr/share/doc/python3.12/README.venv for more information.
note: If you believe this is a mistake, please contact your Python installation or OS distribution provider. You can override this, at the risk of breaking your Python installation or OS, by passing --break-system-packages.
hint: See PEP 668 for the detailed specification.
How to fix it?
add comment
Answered by robin
2025-05-24 13:35
A permanent fix to this disturbing error is to edit the config:
sudo nano /etc/pip.conf
and set it as follows
[global] break-system-packages = true
add comment