diff --git a/.kokoro/release.sh b/.kokoro/release.sh
index 48912cf..2770d80 100755
--- a/.kokoro/release.sh
+++ b/.kokoro/release.sh
@@ -13,6 +13,10 @@ echo "=== Building and Releasing from: ${REPO_DIR} ==="
 # -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # 2. Environment & Tooling Setup
 # -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Setup virtual environment for releasing
+python3 -m venv .venv
+source ./.venv/bin/activate
+
 # Upgrade pip and install standard Python build and packaging tools
 python3 -m pip install --upgrade pip
 python3 -m pip install --upgrade \