diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 34e9c33d..87ee0bba 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ CHANGELOG for FlatCAM beta
 - fixed another issue when using Python 3.10, in GUI elements
 - fixed the Rtree optimization when drilling with no toolchange such that all drill points are used
 - fixed the CNCJob object Tools Table when drilling with no toolchange: now only one tool is displayed
+- made sure that if the OR-TOOLS package is not installed then the options in the Preferences for the related optimizations are disabled
 
 19.11.2021
 
diff --git a/appGUI/GUIElements.py b/appGUI/GUIElements.py
index c9994221..a5c5d750 100644
--- a/appGUI/GUIElements.py
+++ b/appGUI/GUIElements.py
@@ -123,14 +123,14 @@ class RadioSetDefaults(RadioSet):
         * 'label': Shown in the UI
         * 'value': The value returned is selected
 
-        :param choices: List of choices. See description.
-        :param orientation: 'horizontal' (default) of 'vertical'.
-        :param parent: Qt parent widget.
-        :type choices:      list
+        :param choices:         List of choices. See description.
+        :param orientation:     'horizontal' (default) of 'vertical'.
+        :param parent:          Qt parent widget.
+        :type choices:          list
         :param dictionary:
-        :type dictionary:   "dict"
+        :type dictionary:       "dict"
         :param key_spec:
-        :type key_spec:      'str'
+        :type key_spec:         'str'
         """
 
         super(RadioSetDefaults, self).__init__(choices=choices, orientation=orientation, compact=compact, parent=parent)
diff --git a/appGUI/preferences/excellon/ExcellonGenPrefGroupUI.py b/appGUI/preferences/excellon/ExcellonGenPrefGroupUI.py
index ea00fd62..4b5d7032 100644
--- a/appGUI/preferences/excellon/ExcellonGenPrefGroupUI.py
+++ b/appGUI/preferences/excellon/ExcellonGenPrefGroupUI.py
@@ -346,6 +346,13 @@ class ExcellonGenPrefGroupUI(OptionsGroupUI):
             self.optimization_time_label.setDisabled(True)
             self.optimization_time_entry.setDisabled(True)
 
+        try:
+            import ortools
+        except ModuleNotFoundError:
+            self.excellon_optimization_radio.setOptionsDisabled([_('MetaHeuristic'), _('Basic')], True)
+            self.optimization_time_label.setDisabled(True)
+            self.optimization_time_entry.setDisabled(True)
+
         # Setting plot colors signals
         self.line_color_entry.editingFinished.connect(self.on_line_color_entry)
         self.fill_color_entry.editingFinished.connect(self.on_fill_color_entry)
diff --git a/appGUI/preferences/geometry/GeometryGenPrefGroupUI.py b/appGUI/preferences/geometry/GeometryGenPrefGroupUI.py
index 88066350..9c4dd072 100644
--- a/appGUI/preferences/geometry/GeometryGenPrefGroupUI.py
+++ b/appGUI/preferences/geometry/GeometryGenPrefGroupUI.py
@@ -171,6 +171,13 @@ class GeometryGenPrefGroupUI(OptionsGroupUI):
             self.optimization_time_label.setDisabled(True)
             self.optimization_time_entry.setDisabled(True)
 
+        try:
+            import ortools
+        except ModuleNotFoundError:
+            self.opt_algorithm_radio.setOptionsDisabled([_('MetaHeuristic'), _('Basic')], True)
+            self.optimization_time_label.setDisabled(True)
+            self.optimization_time_entry.setDisabled(True)
+
         self.opt_algorithm_radio.activated_custom.connect(self.optimization_selection)
 
         # Setting plot colors signals
diff --git a/requirements.txt b/requirements.txt
index 141b8014..aeedc4a0 100644
--- a/requirements.txt
+++ b/requirements.txt
@@ -4,16 +4,21 @@
 # Usage: pip3 install -r requirements.txt
 
 numpy>=1.16
-matplotlib>=3.4.5
 cycler>=0.10
 python-dateutil>=2.1
 kiwisolver>=1.1
+matplotlib>=3.5.0
 six
 setuptools
 dill
 rtree
 pyopengl
+
+# ###############################
+# OR-TOOLS package is now optional
 ortools>=7.0
+# ###############################
+
 svg.path>=4.0
 simplejson
 shapely>=1.7.1
@@ -30,5 +35,4 @@ pikepdf>=2.0
 pyqt6>=6.1.0
 vispy>=0.9.0
 rasterio
-foronoi>=1.0.3
-networkx
\ No newline at end of file
+foronoi>=1.0.3
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/setup_ubuntu.sh b/setup_ubuntu.sh
index 4d1710b3..8c2a9e10 100644
--- a/setup_ubuntu.sh
+++ b/setup_ubuntu.sh
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ sudo apt-get install -y \
 	python3-tk
 
 
+# ################################
 # Python packages
 
 sudo -H python3 -m pip install --upgrade \
@@ -35,7 +36,6 @@ sudo -H python3 -m pip install --upgrade \
 	pyopengl \
 	setuptools \
 	svg.path \
-	ortools \
 	freetype-py \
 	fontTools \
 	rasterio \
@@ -48,4 +48,6 @@ sudo -H python3 -m pip install --upgrade \
 	pyserial \
 	pikepdf \
 	foronoi \
-	networkx
+	ortools
+# OR-TOOLS package is now optional
+# ################################