diff --git a/install/venvsetup.sh b/install/venvsetup.sh
index f26476fdb..2a36599a7 100644
--- a/install/venvsetup.sh
+++ b/install/venvsetup.sh
@@ -901,6 +901,8 @@ source /usr/local/CyberPanel/bin/activate
 rm -rf requirements.txt
 wget -O requirements.txt https://raw.githubusercontent.com/usmannasir/cyberpanel/1.8.0/requirments.txt
 pip install --ignore-installed -r requirements.txt
+# Install python-dotenv for loading .env file (critical for AlmaLinux 8)
+pip install python-dotenv
 fi
 
 if [[ $DEV == "ON" ]] ; then
@@ -911,6 +913,8 @@ if [[ $DEV == "ON" ]] ; then
 	source /usr/local/CyberPanel/bin/activate
 	wget -O requirements.txt https://raw.githubusercontent.com/usmannasir/cyberpanel/$BRANCH_NAME/requirments.txt
 	pip3.6 install --ignore-installed -r requirements.txt
+	# Install python-dotenv for loading .env file (critical for AlmaLinux 8)
+	pip3.6 install python-dotenv
 fi
 
 if [ -f requirements.txt ] && [ -d cyberpanel ] ; then
@@ -965,6 +969,8 @@ python3.6 -m venv /usr/local/CyberCP
 source /usr/local/CyberCP/bin/activate
 wget -O requirements.txt https://raw.githubusercontent.com/usmannasir/cyberpanel/$BRANCH_NAME/requirments.txt
 pip3.6 install --ignore-installed -r requirements.txt
+# Install python-dotenv for loading .env file (critical for AlmaLinux 8)
+pip3.6 install python-dotenv
 systemctl restart lscpd
 fi