--- /usr/bin/pip3	2018-03-29 15:22:13.000000000 +0200

+++ pip3	2018-05-04 11:49:08.098821010 +0200

@@ -4,7 +4,16 @@

 import re

 import sys

-from pip._internal import main

+try:

+    from pip._internal import main

+except ImportError:

+    # user has most probably downgraded pip in their home

+    # so let them run it anyway until ~/.local/bin makes it in front of the PATH

+    from pip import main

+else:

+    # user might also upgraded pip...

+    if hasattr(main, 'main'):

+        main = main.main

 if __name__ == '__main__':

     sys.argv[0] = re.sub(r'(-script\.pyw?|\.exe)?$', '', sys.argv[0])