diff --git a/unsloth/__init__.py b/unsloth/__init__.py
index 5102d8f466..d5651d5edb 100644
--- a/unsloth/__init__.py
+++ b/unsloth/__init__.py
@@ -31,6 +31,10 @@
 # enabling it will require much more work, so we have to prioritize. Please understand!
 # We do have a beta version, which you can contact us about!
 # Thank you for your understanding and we appreciate it immensely!
+
+# Fixes https://github.com/unslothai/unsloth/issues/1266
+os.environ["PROTOCOL_BUFFERS_PYTHON_IMPLEMENTATION"] = "python"
+
 if "CUDA_VISIBLE_DEVICES" in os.environ:
     os.environ["CUDA_DEVICE_ORDER"] = "PCI_BUS_ID"
     devices = os.environ["CUDA_VISIBLE_DEVICES"]