diff --git a/Dockerfile b/Dockerfile
index 6304efe..fd832c0 100644
--- a/Dockerfile
+++ b/Dockerfile
@@ -4,8 +4,11 @@ RUN apt update && apt install -y ffmpeg
 
 WORKDIR /aw-bot
 
+RUN python -m venv /bot-env
+
+# Activate the virtual environment and install dependencies
 COPY requirements.txt .
-RUN pip install --no-cache-dir -r requirements.txt
+RUN /bot-env/bin/pip install --no-cache-dir -r requirements.txt
 
 COPY bot /aw-bot/bot
 COPY database /aw-bot/database
@@ -16,6 +19,6 @@ COPY LICENSE .
 ENV BOT_TOKEN=""
 
 # Where the database will be stored
-ENV BOT_DATA_DIR = ""
+ENV BOT_DATA_DIR=""
 
-CMD ["python", "aw.py"]
+CMD ["/bot-env/bin/python", "aw.py"]