diff --git a/.github/workflows/setup_tests.yml b/.github/workflows/setup_tests.yml
index fcf33b1e5..db843769e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/setup_tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/setup_tests.yml
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ jobs:
   dev_local:
     strategy:
       matrix:
-        python-version: [ 3.6, 3.8 ]
+        python-version: [ 3.8 ]
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     timeout-minutes: 15
     steps:
diff --git a/requirements/requirements.txt b/requirements/requirements.txt
index f13c704bd..d2e43761c 100644
--- a/requirements/requirements.txt
+++ b/requirements/requirements.txt
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ neon-utils>=0.6.0
 rapidfuzz
 kthread
 psutil
-ovos_utils>=0.0.12
+ovos_utils>=0.0.12a3
 ovos-skills-manager>=0.0.2
 
 # plugins