diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 1420b88e..7cb28666 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -92,6 +92,8 @@ Certain values can be set via environment variables, using the `-e` parameter on
 * __YTP_DB_FILE__: The path to the SQLite database file. Defaults to `{config_path}/ytptube.db`.
 * __YTP_MANUAL_ARCHIVE__: The path to the manual archive file. Defaults to `{config_path}/manual_archive.log`.
 * __YTP_UI_UPDATE_TITLE__: Whether to update the title of the page with the current stats. Defaults to `true`.
+* __YTP_PIP_PACKAGES__: a space separated list of pip packages to install. Defaults to `""`, you can also use `{config_path}/pip.txt` to install the packages.
+* __YTP_PIP_IGNORE_UPDATES__: Do not update the custom pip packages. Defaults to `false`.
 
 ## Running behind a reverse proxy
 
diff --git a/app/library/PackageInstaller.py b/app/library/PackageInstaller.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..177d473d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/library/PackageInstaller.py
@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+import logging
+import os
+import subprocess
+import sys
+import importlib
+from library.config import Config
+
+LOG = logging.getLogger("package_installer")
+
+
+class PackageInstaller:
+    """
+    This class is responsible for installing and upgrading pip packages.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, config: Config):
+        self.config: Config = config
+
+    def from_env(self):
+        return self.config.pip_packages.split() if self.config.pip_packages else []
+
+    def from_file(self, file_path):
+        if not os.path.exists(file_path):
+            return []
+
+        if os.access(file_path, os.R_OK):
+            with open(file_path, "r") as f:
+                return [pkg.strip() for pkg in f.readlines() if pkg.strip()]
+        else:
+            LOG.error(f"Could not read pip packages from '{file_path}'.")
+            return []
+
+    def action(self, pkg: str):
+        try:
+            importlib.import_module(pkg)
+            if self.config.pip_ignore_updates:
+                LOG.info(f"'{pkg}' is already installed. Skipping upgrades. as requested.")
+                return
+            LOG.info(f"'{pkg}' is already installed. Checking for upgrades...")
+            subprocess.run([sys.executable, "-m", "pip", "install", "--upgrade", pkg], check=True)
+        except ImportError:
+            LOG.info(f"'{pkg}' is not installed. Installing...")
+            subprocess.run([sys.executable, "-m", "pip", "install", pkg], check=True)
+
+    def check(self):
+        """
+        Checks for user supplied pip packages and installs them if they are not already installed.
+        """
+        pip_file = os.path.join(self.config.config_path, "pip.txt")
+        packages = list(set(self.from_env() + self.from_file(pip_file)))
+
+        if not packages:
+            return
+
+        for package in packages:
+            try:
+                self.action(package)
+            except Exception as e:
+                LOG.error(f"Failed to install or upgrade package '{package}'. Error message: {str(e)}")
+                LOG.exception(e)
diff --git a/app/library/config.py b/app/library/config.py
index ce4c1c36..db6ae847 100644
--- a/app/library/config.py
+++ b/app/library/config.py
@@ -56,6 +56,8 @@ class Config:
     db_file: str = "{config_path}/ytptube.db"
     manual_archive: str = "{config_path}/archive.manual.log"
     ui_update_title: bool = True
+    pip_packages: str = ""
+    pip_ignore_updates: bool = False
 
     # immutable config vars.
     version: str = APP_VERSION
@@ -146,6 +148,7 @@ class Config:
         "remove_files",
         "ignore_ui",
         "ui_update_title",
+        "pip_ignore_updates",
     )
 
     _frontend_vars: tuple = (
diff --git a/app/main.py b/app/main.py
index 1511b0e9..5325f3f7 100644
--- a/app/main.py
+++ b/app/main.py
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ from library.encoder import Encoder
 from library.HttpAPI import HttpAPI, LOG as http_logger
 from library.HttpSocket import HttpSocket
 from library.Webhooks import Webhooks
+from library.PackageInstaller import PackageInstaller
 
 LOG = logging.getLogger("app")
 MIME = magic.Magic(mime=True)
@@ -37,6 +38,13 @@ class Main:
         self.encoder = Encoder()
 
         self.checkFolders()
+
+        try:
+            PackageInstaller(self.config).check()
+        except Exception as e:
+            LOG.error(f"Failed to check for packages. Error message '{str(e)}'.")
+            LOG.exception(e)
+
         caribou.upgrade(self.config.db_file, os.path.join(self.rootPath, "migrations"))
 
         connection = sqlite3.connect(database=self.config.db_file, isolation_level=None)