diff --git a/bin/start_service.sh b/bin/start_service.sh
index 71e617c..24dda0c 100755
--- a/bin/start_service.sh
+++ b/bin/start_service.sh
@@ -33,9 +33,7 @@ export UV_LINK_MODE="copy"
 APP_DIR=${SVC_DIR}/current/app
 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 ${APP_DIR}/.venv --clear
+uv venv --project "${APP_DIR}" --allow-existing
 # 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