diff --git a/.github/actions/install-dependencies/action.yml b/.github/actions/install-dependencies/action.yml
index de339c9..8813d22 100644
--- a/.github/actions/install-dependencies/action.yml
+++ b/.github/actions/install-dependencies/action.yml
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ runs:
         sudo apt-get install -y cmake
         sudo apt-get install -y libgmp-dev
         sudo apt-get install -y python3-pip
-        pip3 install sympy
+        python3 -m pip install sympy
         echo "Install Linux dependencies [DONE]"
 
     - name: Install Mac Dependencies
@@ -20,9 +20,14 @@ runs:
       shell: bash
       run: |
         echo "Install Mac dependencies"
-        brew update
+        brew update || true
         ## gmp and python are already installed in the latest macOS
         # brew install gmp
         # brew install python
-        pip install sympy
+        ## Install sympy - use --break-system-packages for CI environment
+        ## First ensure pip is available and up to date
+        python3 -m ensurepip --upgrade || python3 -m ensurepip || true
+        python3 -m pip install --upgrade pip || true
+        ## Install sympy with --break-system-packages flag (required for PEP 668)
+        python3 -m pip install --break-system-packages sympy
         echo "Install Mac dependencies [DONE]"
diff --git a/test/python/polypy_test.py b/test/python/polypy_test.py
index 486b24c..5a04162 100644
--- a/test/python/polypy_test.py
+++ b/test/python/polypy_test.py
@@ -1,6 +1,12 @@
 import polypy
 import random
-import sympy
+
+try:
+    import sympy
+    _sympy_available = True
+except ImportError:
+    _sympy_available = False
+    sympy = None
 
 PASS = 0
 FAIL = 0
@@ -61,7 +67,13 @@ class SympyWrapper:
 
     enabled = True
 
+    def __init__(self):
+        if not _sympy_available:
+            self.enabled = False
+
     def sympy_from_upolynomial(self, p):
+        if not _sympy_available:
+            raise RuntimeError("sympy is not available")
         coeffs = p.coefficients()
         sympy_p = 0
         x = sympy.symbols('x')
@@ -71,6 +83,8 @@ def sympy_from_upolynomial(self, p):
         return sympy_p
 
     def sympy_factor(self, p):
+        if not _sympy_available:
+            raise RuntimeError("sympy is not available")
         sympy_p = self.sympy_from_upolynomial(p)
         if (p.ring().modulus() is None):
             return sympy.factor_list(sympy_p)
@@ -78,6 +92,8 @@ def sympy_factor(self, p):
             return sympy.factor_list(sympy_p, modulus=p.ring().modulus())
 
     def sympy_gcd(self, p, q):
+        if not _sympy_available:
+            raise RuntimeError("sympy is not available")
         sympy_p = self.sympy_from_upolynomial(p)
         sympy_q = self.sympy_from_upolynomial(q)
         if (p.ring().modulus() is None):
@@ -86,6 +102,8 @@ def sympy_gcd(self, p, q):
             return sympy.gcd(sympy_p, sympy_q, modulus=p.ring().modulus())
 
     def sympy_extended_gcd(self, p, q):
+        if not _sympy_available:
+            raise RuntimeError("sympy is not available")
         sympy_p = self.sympy_from_upolynomial(p)
         sympy_q = self.sympy_from_upolynomial(q)
         if (p.ring().modulus() is None):
@@ -143,9 +161,11 @@ def check_extended_gcd(self, p, q, gcd, u, v):
 
 
 """
- By default sympy is enabled.
+ By default sympy is enabled if available.
 """
 sympy_checker = SympyWrapper();
+if not _sympy_available:
+    sympy_checker.enabled = False
 
 """
  Initialize the testing.