diff --git a/requirements-dev.txt b/requirements-dev.txt
index 261a5cc2c7fe..0e8426d5174d 100644
--- a/requirements-dev.txt
+++ b/requirements-dev.txt
@@ -25,7 +25,8 @@ intelhex
 # for building & testing natmods
 pyelftools
 
-cryptography
+# newer versions break ESP-IDF now
+cryptography<45
 
 # for web workflow minify
 minify_html