diff --git a/tools/ci_build/github/azure-pipelines/templates/validate-package.yml b/tools/ci_build/github/azure-pipelines/templates/validate-package.yml
index 8332c3c60a7e1..5eb3568249ee3 100644
--- a/tools/ci_build/github/azure-pipelines/templates/validate-package.yml
+++ b/tools/ci_build/github/azure-pipelines/templates/validate-package.yml
@@ -9,6 +9,12 @@ parameters:
   workingDirectory: "$(Build.BinariesDirectory)"
 
 steps:
+    # PythonScript below needs a version of python to use as its interpreter
+    - task: UsePythonVersion@0
+      inputs:
+        versionSpec: '3.12'
+        addToPath: true
+
     - task: PythonScript@0
       displayName: 'Validate Package'
       inputs: