diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 13457f2..7e5c068 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -2,9 +2,10 @@
 
 This project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0.html).
 
-## [3.18.4] - 2024-06-01
+## [3.18.4] - 2024-06-01 (WIP)
   - isa\_string variable in debug spec now depends on the hartid (instead of always depending on
     `hart0`)
+  - allow yaml python pkg requirements to install newer versions #142
 
 ## [3.18.3] - 2024-05-28
   - exclude Svnapot from march generation. fixes #178.
diff --git a/requirements.txt b/requirements.txt
index 88ea444..56e6e78 100644
--- a/requirements.txt
+++ b/requirements.txt
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 Cerberus>=1.3.1
-ruamel.yaml==0.17.16
-pyyaml==5.2
+ruamel.yaml>=0.17.16
+pyyaml>=5.2
diff --git a/riscv_config/__init__.py b/riscv_config/__init__.py
index 94e44d8..528c36e 100644
--- a/riscv_config/__init__.py
+++ b/riscv_config/__init__.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
 from pkgutil import extend_path
 __path__ = extend_path(__path__, __name__)
-__version__ = '3.18.4'
-
+__version__ = '3.18.4'
\ No newline at end of file