#!/linuxSucks/Annoying Error Massage Externally Managed Environment
Jun 13, 2024When installing a python application with pip, shows this annoying error message:
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/python3.11/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.
Fix
To fix this annoying message; re-name/delete the file called EXTERNALLY-MANAGED. The file is located
/usr/lib/python3.xx
xx is the python version
Rename the file
sudo mv /usr/lib/python3.xx/EXTERNALLY-MANAGED /usr/lib/python3.xx/EXTERNALLY-MANAGED.backup
What is the purpose of this file ?
Conflict prevention: Ensures that Python packages installed by the system package manager are not overwritten or modified by pip installations.
System stability: Maintains the consistency and stability of the Python environment by avoiding uncontrolled modifications.
Why is this action needed? ?
When you try to install a package with pip in an environment marked as “externally managed”, you get the error error: externally-managed-environment. This error indicates that pip detects the environment is managed by the system and prevents modifications to avoid potential conflicts.