--- /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])