diff --git a/jupyterlite_xeus/create_conda_env.py b/jupyterlite_xeus/create_conda_env.py
index 3367032..c8428a1 100644
--- a/jupyterlite_xeus/create_conda_env.py
+++ b/jupyterlite_xeus/create_conda_env.py
@@ -49,9 +49,8 @@ def create_conda_env_from_env_file(root_prefix, env_file_content, env_file_locat
 
     # get the specs
     specs, pip_dependencies = _extract_specs(env_file_location, env_file_content)
-    # Force Python 3.11
-    if "python" in str(specs):
-        specs.append("python=3.11")
+    # Force emscripten version
+    specs.append("emscripten-abi=3.1.45")
 
     create_conda_env_from_specs(
         env_name=env_name,