diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index dea63f1..a2e9097 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -1 +1,4 @@
+generated_python/__pycache__/
 qr/
+venv/
+
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index a53520a..434ad54 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -28,6 +28,18 @@ For printing QR codes, the qrcode module is required
 
     pip install qrcode[pil]
 
+### Alternative installation method
+
+Alternatively, you can use a python virtual env for the dependencies:
+
+    python -m venv venv
+    . venv/bin/activate
+    pip install -r requirements-buildenv.txt
+    pip install -r requirements.txt
+
+The requirements\*.txt files contain all the dependencies (also the optional ones).
+To leave the python virtual env just call `deactivate`.
+
 ## Technical background
 
 The export QR code of "Google Authenticator" contains the URL `otpauth-migration://offline?data=...`.
diff --git a/requirements-buildenv.txt b/requirements-buildenv.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2309722
--- /dev/null
+++ b/requirements-buildenv.txt
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+wheel
diff --git a/requirements.txt b/requirements.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5c316ae
--- /dev/null
+++ b/requirements.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+protobuf
+qrcode
+Pillow