python install_error ai_generated true

ERROR: Cannot import 'setuptools.build_meta' when build isolation is disabled because setuptools is not installed in the current environment.

ID: python/pip-build-isolation-conflict

Also available as: JSON · Markdown · 中文
80%Fix Rate
87%Confidence
0Evidence
2025-03-19First Seen

Version Compatibility

VersionStatusIntroducedDeprecatedNotes
3.8 active — — —
3.9 active — — —
3.10 active — — —
3.11 active — — —
3.12 active — — —

Root Cause

Using `--no-build-isolation` requires the build backend (setuptools, wheel, etc.) to already be installed in the active environment.

generic

中文

使用 `--no-build-isolation` 要求构建后端（setuptools、wheel 等）已安装在当前活动环境中。

Workarounds

  1. 90% success 
    pip install --upgrade setuptools wheel && pip install --no-build-isolation <package>
  2. 95% success 
    pip install <package>  # drop --no-build-isolation

Dead Ends

Common approaches that don't work:

  1. 90% fail

    pip is separate from the build backend; reinstalling it does not add setuptools.

  2. 95% fail

    The same missing backend error recurs deterministically.

  3. 90% fail

    Force-reinstall affects the target package, not build-time imports.