diff --git a/start_server.sh b/start_server.sh
index e376222a..bf9e6605 100755
--- a/start_server.sh
+++ b/start_server.sh
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ source .venv/bin/activate
 
 # 3. Check and Install Backend Dependencies
 echo "📦 Updating Python dependencies..."
-pip install -r backend/requirements.txt
+.venv/bin/pip install -r backend/requirements.txt
 
 # 4. Get Local IP and set environment variables
 LOCAL_IP=$(hostname -I | awk '{print $1}' || echo "localhost")