diff --git a/studio/install_python_stack.py b/studio/install_python_stack.py
index 39fec2e6f5..603ac162c9 100644
--- a/studio/install_python_stack.py
+++ b/studio/install_python_stack.py
@@ -373,10 +373,25 @@ def install_python_stack() -> int:
             ],
         )
     else:
-        run(
-            "Upgrading pip",
-            [sys.executable, "-m", "pip", "install", "--upgrade", "pip"],
-        )
+        # pip may not exist yet (uv-created venvs omit it). Try ensurepip
+        # first, then upgrade. Only fall back to a direct upgrade when pip
+        # is already present.
+        _has_pip = subprocess.run(
+            [sys.executable, "-m", "pip", "--version"],
+            stdout = subprocess.DEVNULL,
+            stderr = subprocess.DEVNULL,
+        ).returncode == 0
+
+        if not _has_pip:
+            run(
+                "Bootstrapping pip via ensurepip",
+                [sys.executable, "-m", "ensurepip", "--upgrade"],
+            )
+        else:
+            run(
+                "Upgrading pip",
+                [sys.executable, "-m", "pip", "install", "--upgrade", "pip"],
+            )
 
     # 3. Core packages: unsloth-zoo + unsloth (or custom package name)
     if skip_base:
diff --git a/unsloth/models/_utils.py b/unsloth/models/_utils.py
index 1fffc62f81..da912dec76 100644
--- a/unsloth/models/_utils.py
+++ b/unsloth/models/_utils.py
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 
-__version__ = "2026.3.13"
+__version__ = "2026.3.14"
 
 __all__ = [
     "SUPPORTS_BFLOAT16",