diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index c50f7b75..1804ecf8 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1378,6 +1378,7 @@ git pull --recurse-submodules
 # Install ArchiveBox + python dependencies
 pip install uv
 ./bin/lock_pkgs.sh         # (aka `uv venv; uv sync;` + generate requirements.txt)
+source .venv/bin/activate  # activate the venv
 
 # Install ArchiveBox runtime dependencies
 mkdir -p data && cd data