diff --git a/cibuildwheel/pyodide.py b/cibuildwheel/pyodide.py
index 892778237..e1a1f9bd5 100644
--- a/cibuildwheel/pyodide.py
+++ b/cibuildwheel/pyodide.py
@@ -78,6 +78,7 @@ def install_xbuildenv(env: dict[str, str], pyodide_version: str) -> str:
         "pyodide",
         "xbuildenv",
         "install",
+        "0.26.0a4",
         env=env,
         cwd=xbuildenv_cache_dir,
     )