diff --git a/bin/start_service.sh b/bin/start_service.sh
index 448d72b..2b4c538 100755
--- a/bin/start_service.sh
+++ b/bin/start_service.sh
@@ -27,8 +27,8 @@ pip install uv
 PATH="${HOME}/.local/bin:${PATH}"
 
 cd ${SVC_DIR}/current/app
-# create venv using site-packages -- uses system-wide installed epics
-uv venv --system-site-packages .venv
+# (re)create venv using site-packages -- uses system-wide installed epics
+uv venv --system-site-packages .venv --clear
 # install custom python packages from pyproject.toml / uv.lock
 uv sync --frozen
 # activate .venv, this works in conjunction with the conda environment