diff --git a/bin/start_service.sh b/bin/start_service.sh
index f56ea77..8a12d19 100755
--- a/bin/start_service.sh
+++ b/bin/start_service.sh
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ echo "App dir: ${APP_DIR}"
 
 # TODO: do we need this? pyepics is not PSI specific...
 # (re)create venv using site-packages -- uses system-wide installed epics
-uv venv --system-site-packages ${APP_DIR}/.venv --clear
+# uv venv --system-site-packages ${APP_DIR}/.venv --clear
 # install custom python packages from pyproject.toml / uv.lock
 uv sync --frozen --project ${APP_DIR}
 # activate .venv, this works in conjunction with the conda environment