diff --git a/src/datasmith/harbor_adapter/template/tests/jinja_patch_plugin_pandas.py b/src/datasmith/harbor_adapter/template/tests/jinja_patch_plugin_pandas.py
index e06a8c56..4a719a00 100644
--- a/src/datasmith/harbor_adapter/template/tests/jinja_patch_plugin_pandas.py
+++ b/src/datasmith/harbor_adapter/template/tests/jinja_patch_plugin_pandas.py
@@ -1,6 +1,12 @@
 import importlib
 import pathlib
 
+# Load the env's libstdc++ (through sqlite3's libicu) before pandas can load the older system one; otherwise pytest-cov fails to import.
+try:
+    import sqlite3  # noqa: F401
+except Exception:
+    pass
+
 
 def _patch_jinja_package_loader() -> None:
     try: