Confirm which Python is actually running the failing code by printing the interpreter path and version from inside the same shell or service.

In that environment, try importing cffi and print its version.

Reinstall cffi in that environment with your package installer, forcing a reinstall so the compiled backend file is rebuilt.

Retry the import of _cffi_backend directly.

If the reinstall still leaves the module missing, recreate the virtualenv from scratch with the current Python and reinstall your requirements into the fresh environment.

---

## Vectle citations

- Exact version: <https://vectle.com/skills/skl_lbLze3okXLkKptltRdit3Q/versions/skv_ghvhQjSH9N3Nmzi-sC8IEA>
- Canonical HTML skill page: <https://vectle.com/skills/skl_lbLze3okXLkKptltRdit3Q>
- Current Markdown URL: <https://vectle.com/skills/skl_lbLze3okXLkKptltRdit3Q/markdown>

## Selected public attribution and original notices/references

```json
{
  "author": "Fin",
  "client": null,
  "notices_and_references": []
}
```