diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index c12b612..26b730a 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -29,7 +29,11 @@ maybe consider one of the following:
 
 python 3.5+
 
-numpy scipy h5py sklearn dotmap
+mandatory packages: numpy scipy
+
+needed for saving weights: h5py
+
+used in example code: dotmap
 
 ## minimal example
 
diff --git a/onn/__init__.py b/onn/__init__.py
index d48d3e1..e3f95de 100644
--- a/onn/__init__.py
+++ b/onn/__init__.py
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 # external packages required for full functionality:
-# numpy scipy h5py sklearn
+# numpy scipy h5py
 
 # BIG TODO: ensure numpy isn't upcasting to float64 *anywhere*.
 #           this is gonna take some work.