Coding⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-19

How to Fix: Error when installing pip for python2.7

Error installing pip on Python 2.7 Linux, unable to load entry point.

Quick Answer: The issue is caused by the use of distribute instead of setuptools. Try reinstalling with setuptools instead.

Error when installing pip for python2.7 occurs when the installation process fails to complete successfully, resulting in an incomplete or corrupted pip package.

This issue affects users who have installed Python 2.7 on Linux and are trying to install pip using the setup.py script.

🔍 Why This Happens

  • The primary reason for this error is that the setup.py script is not designed to work with Python 2.7's packaging system, which can lead to issues with installing pip.
  • Alternatively, it may be due to a corrupted or incomplete installation of the pip package.

🛠️ Step-by-Step Verified Fixes

Reinstalling pip using a different method

  1. Step 1: Download the pip source code from the official GitHub repository and extract it to a new directory.
  2. Step 2: Change into the extracted directory and run the following command: python setup.py install --root=/path/to/python2.7.9/bin --upgrade
  3. Step 3: Verify that pip has been installed correctly by running the command /path/to/python2.7.9/bin/pip --version

Using an alternative package manager to install pip

  1. Step 1: Install the pyenv package manager using the following command: sudo apt-get install python3-pyenv
  2. Step 2: Add the Python 2.7 executable to the pyenv installation using the following command: pyenv install 2.7.9-1
  3. Step 3: Create a new virtual environment for pip using the following command: pyenv virtualenv 2.7.9-1 --path /path/to/python2.7.9/bin/pip
  4. Step 4: Activate the virtual environment and verify that pip has been installed correctly by running the command /path/to/python2.7.9/bin/pip --version

💡 Conclusion

To resolve the error when installing pip for Python 2.7, try using one of the alternative methods described above. If you encounter further issues, consider seeking assistance from a system administrator or Linux expert.

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