diff --git a/compose.py b/compose.py
index 14b58c93f6..1ade3bef46 100755
--- a/compose.py
+++ b/compose.py
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env python3
-# Copyright 2021-2023, NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES. All rights reserved.
+# Copyright 2021-2024, NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES. All rights reserved.
 #
 # Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
 # modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions
@@ -88,6 +88,8 @@ def start_dockerfile(ddir, images, argmap, dockerfile_name, backends):
 
     df += """
 FROM {}
+
+ENV PIP_BREAK_SYSTEM_PACKAGES=1
 """.format(
         images["min"]
     )