diff --git a/.python-version b/.python-version
index bd28b9c5..ea97b836 100644
--- a/.python-version
+++ b/.python-version
@@ -1 +1 @@
-3.9
+3.9.25
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index b356dadf..c4f05550 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ The data used in this analysis are publicly available on [Quilt](https://open.qu
 
 This analysis is tested on Ubuntu 18.04. Other operating systems may work, but there are known dependency issues with MacOS.
 
-1. Install Python 3.9 and `git`.  Update pip at least to `24.0.0`. Confirm your versions with `python --version` and `pip --version`.
+1. Install `git` and Python 3.9.12 or a later version of Python 3.9. Update pip at least to `24.0.0`. Confirm your versions with `python --version` and `pip --version`.
 2. Clone this git repository.
 ```bash
 git clone git@github.com:AllenCell/nuc-morph-analysis.git