diff --git a/Dockerfile b/Dockerfile
index 019230e..ba94944 100644
--- a/Dockerfile
+++ b/Dockerfile
@@ -24,14 +24,13 @@ RUN apt update && apt install -y \
         # Packet analysis tools
         tshark \
         # Programming languages and runtimes
-        python3 python3-pip python3-venv python3-dev \
+        python3 python3-pip python3-venv python3-dev python-is-python3 \
         # Development tools
         software-properties-common build-essential \
         # Remote access
         openssh-server \
         # Localization
         locales
-    # Note: Keeping apt cache for dev convenience
 
 # Install Node.js using official NodeSource repository
 RUN curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_lts.x | sudo -E bash - && \
diff --git a/scripts/entrypoint.sh b/scripts/entrypoint.sh
index 2f82465..136454c 100755
--- a/scripts/entrypoint.sh
+++ b/scripts/entrypoint.sh
@@ -1,17 +1,19 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env bash
 
-# Gracefully update package lists if network is available
-echo "Checking network connectivity..."
-if ping -c 1 -W 5 8.8.8.8 >/dev/null 2>&1 || ping -c 1 -W 5 1.1.1.1 >/dev/null 2>&1; then
-    echo "Network detected, refreshing package lists..."
-    if sudo apt update; then
-        echo "Package lists updated successfully"
+if [[ "$UPDATE_APT" == "1" || "${UPDATE_APT,,}" == "true" ]]; then
+    # Gracefully update package lists if network is available
+    echo "Checking network connectivity..."
+    if ping -c 1 -W 5 8.8.8.8 >/dev/null 2>&1 || ping -c 1 -W 5 1.1.1.1 >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+        echo "Network detected, refreshing package lists..."
+        if sudo apt update; then
+            echo "Package lists updated successfully"
+        else
+            echo "Warning: apt update failed despite network connectivity"
+            echo "Falling back to cached package lists"
+        fi
     else
-        echo "Warning: apt update failed despite network connectivity"
-        echo "Falling back to cached package lists"
+        echo "No network connectivity detected, using cached package lists"
     fi
-else
-    echo "No network connectivity detected, using cached package lists"
 fi
 
 # Global variable to track background processes