diff --git a/clearml_agent/helper/package/pip_api/venv.py b/clearml_agent/helper/package/pip_api/venv.py
index 018dde4..965f83b 100644
--- a/clearml_agent/helper/package/pip_api/venv.py
+++ b/clearml_agent/helper/package/pip_api/venv.py
@@ -64,9 +64,18 @@ class VirtualenvPip(SystemPip, PackageManager):
         Only valid if instantiated with path.
         Use self.python as self.bin does not exist.
         """
-        self.session.command(
-            self.python, "-m", "virtualenv", self.path, *self.create_flags()
-        ).check_call()
+        # noinspection PyBroadException
+        try:
+            self.session.command(
+                self.python, "-m", "virtualenv", self.path, *self.create_flags()
+            ).check_call()
+        except Exception as ex:
+            # let's try with std library instead
+            print("WARNING: virtualenv call failed: {}\n INFO: Creating virtual environment with venv".format(ex))
+            self.session.command(
+                self.python, "-m", "venv", self.path, *self.create_flags()
+            ).check_call()
+
         return self
 
     def remove(self):