diff --git a/bindings/python/CHANGELOG.md b/bindings/python/CHANGELOG.md
index fe98ecbb..4aabd2f6 100644
--- a/bindings/python/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/bindings/python/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -3,6 +3,10 @@
 
 ---
 
+# Changes in Version 1.5.1
+
+- Remove upper bound version pin on `packaging`.
+
 # Changes in Version 1.5.0
 
 - Support for PyArrow 17.0
diff --git a/bindings/python/pymongoarrow/__init__.py b/bindings/python/pymongoarrow/__init__.py
index 2628e3f9..bc14e94e 100644
--- a/bindings/python/pymongoarrow/__init__.py
+++ b/bindings/python/pymongoarrow/__init__.py
@@ -22,12 +22,10 @@
 from pymongoarrow.version import _MIN_LIBBSON_VERSION, __version__  # noqa: F401
 
 try:
+    # Not needed for building the package.
     from packaging.version import parse as _parse_version
 except ImportError:
-    from distutils.version import LooseVersion as _LooseVersion
-
-    def _parse_version(version):
-        return _LooseVersion(version)
+    _parse_version = None
 
 
 try:
@@ -42,7 +40,7 @@ def _parse_version(version):
         )
     libbson_version = None
 
-if libbson_version is not None:  # noqa: SIM102
+if libbson_version is not None and _parse_version is not None:  # noqa: SIM102
     if _parse_version(libbson_version) < _parse_version(_MIN_LIBBSON_VERSION):
         msg = (
             f"Expected libbson version {_MIN_LIBBSON_VERSION} or greater, "
diff --git a/bindings/python/pyproject.toml b/bindings/python/pyproject.toml
index bd6a487d..0741e9c2 100644
--- a/bindings/python/pyproject.toml
+++ b/bindings/python/pyproject.toml
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ dependencies = [
     "pyarrow >=17.0,<17.1",
     "pymongo >=4.4,<5",
     "pandas >=1.3.5,<3",
-    "packaging >=23.2,<24",
+    "packaging >=23.2",
 ]
 dynamic = ["version"]