diff --git a/integration_tests/get_started.sh b/integration_tests/get_started.sh
index 6942dc8f3..141de6cde 100755
--- a/integration_tests/get_started.sh
+++ b/integration_tests/get_started.sh
@@ -6,6 +6,12 @@ if [ $# -ge 2 ]; then
    shift 1
 fi
 
+# sometimes this doesn't install cleanly 
+pip install --upgrade pip
+pip install --upgrade scrypt
+pip install --upgrade fastecdsa
+pip install --upgrade cryptography
+
 for repo in dns-zone-file-py blockstack-profiles-py virtualchain blockstack-core; do
    git clone "https://github.com/blockstack/$repo"
    pushd "$repo"