Supporting Python Dependencies in Java Project using Jython

I am using Jython libraries within my Java project to call some Python functions from a Python file. However, that Python file has dependencies that I need to capture using Ivy (dependency resolution) with Ant build tools. I am already using Ant and Ivy in the project, and am able to retrieve the .whl Python library files I need from the repository, but whenever I add them to the classpath (Project Structure -> SDKs -> Classpath), they stay for one execution and then get removed from the classpath the next time I build the project. I assume this is because the Java project is looking for .jar dependencies and does not think the .whl files need to be on the classpath. But how do I permanently keep the the .whl files on the classpath for use by the Python classes (and the Jython libraries from within Java)?