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?

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Answer

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

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pip - error: externally-managed-environment

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