pip.get_installed_distributions() doesn't check if a package has been uninstalled (or added)

It seems there is no way to ask pip to re-check if his modules are still present. Let suppose I have a module astroid.

# in Python console1
import pip
pip.get_installed_distributions()  # will show `astroid`module

then open another Python console2

# in Python console2
pip uninstall astroid

Python console1 will continue to claim astroid module is there is I redo a

# in Python console1 (that is not closed)
pip.get_installed_distributions()  # will shows wrongfully  `astroid`module

==> Would it be possible to have an option that will force a refresh ?

[jaraco]

So, for a workaround, you can do this:

import imp, pip
def refresh_packages():
    pip.utils.pkg_resources = imp.reload(pip.utils.pkg_resources)

[rbtcollins]

Yah - thats one of the reasons reload is rarely the right thing 😃