diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..90013afec
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+custom_components/smartir/__pycache__/
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/custom_components/smartir/__init__.py b/custom_components/smartir/__init__.py
index dbd16558f..1b367fd91 100644
--- a/custom_components/smartir/__init__.py
+++ b/custom_components/smartir/__init__.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 import aiohttp
 import asyncio
 import binascii
-from distutils.version import StrictVersion
+from packaging import version
 import json
 import logging
 import os.path
@@ -77,14 +77,14 @@ async def _update(hass, branch, do_update=False, notify_if_latest=True):
                     last_version = data['updater']['version']
                     release_notes = data['updater']['releaseNotes']
 
-                    if StrictVersion(last_version) <= StrictVersion(VERSION):
+                    if version.parse(last_version) <= version.parse(VERSION):
                         if notify_if_latest:
                             hass.components.persistent_notification.async_create(
                                 "You're already using the latest version!", 
                                 title='SmartIR')
                         return
 
-                    if StrictVersion(current_ha_version) < StrictVersion(min_ha_version):
+                    if version.parse(current_ha_version) < version.parse(min_ha_version):
                         hass.components.persistent_notification.async_create(
                             "There is a new version of SmartIR integration, but it is **incompatible** "
                             "with your system. Please first update Home Assistant.", title='SmartIR')
diff --git a/custom_components/smartir/manifest.json b/custom_components/smartir/manifest.json
index f8a1a8f26..cc7bde724 100644
--- a/custom_components/smartir/manifest.json
+++ b/custom_components/smartir/manifest.json
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
   "documentation": "https://github.com/smartHomeHub/SmartIR",
   "dependencies": [],
   "codeowners": ["@smartHomeHub"],
-  "requirements": ["aiofiles>=0.6.0"],
+  "requirements": ["aiofiles>=0.6.0", "packaging>=20.0"],
   "homeassistant": "2025.5.0",
   "version": "1.18.1",
   "updater": {