diff --git a/reasoning_gym/algebra/simple_equations.py b/reasoning_gym/algebra/simple_equations.py
index 143ef126..5fe9d088 100644
--- a/reasoning_gym/algebra/simple_equations.py
+++ b/reasoning_gym/algebra/simple_equations.py
@@ -81,56 +81,53 @@ class SimpleEquationsDataset(ProceduralDataset):
         Returns:
             Tuple of (equation string, solution integer)
         """
-        x = Symbol(variable)
+        max_attempts = 100  # Prevent infinite loops
+        
+        for _ in range(max_attempts):
+            x = Symbol(variable)
 
-        # Generate terms for left side
-        num_terms = rng.randint(self.config.min_terms, self.config.max_terms)
-        terms = []
+            # Generate terms for left side
+            num_terms = rng.randint(self.config.min_terms, self.config.max_terms)
+            terms = []
 
-        # Generate all constant terms first
-        for _ in range(num_terms):
-            value = rng.randint(self.config.min_value, self.config.max_value)
-            terms.append(value)
+            # Generate all constant terms first
+            for _ in range(num_terms):
+                value = rng.randint(self.config.min_value, self.config.max_value)
+                terms.append(value)
 
-        # Replace one random term with the variable term
-        var_pos = rng.randint(0, num_terms - 1)
-        if "*" in self.config.operators:
-            coef = rng.randint(self.config.min_value, self.config.max_value)
-            terms[var_pos] = coef * x
-        else:
-            terms[var_pos] = x
+            # Replace one random term with the variable term
+            var_pos = rng.randint(0, num_terms - 1)
+            if "*" in self.config.operators:
+                coef = rng.randint(self.config.min_value, self.config.max_value)
+                terms[var_pos] = coef * x
+            else:
+                terms[var_pos] = x
 
-        # Apply operators between terms
-        expr = terms[0]
-        for i in range(1, num_terms):
-            op = rng.choice(self.config.operators)
-            if op == "+":
-                expr = expr + terms[i]
-            elif op == "-":
-                expr = expr - terms[i]
-            else:  # '*'
-                expr = expr * terms[i]
+            # Apply operators between terms
+            expr = terms[0]
+            for i in range(1, num_terms):
+                op = rng.choice(self.config.operators)
+                if op == "+":
+                    expr = expr + terms[i]
+                elif op == "-":
+                    expr = expr - terms[i]
+                else:  # '*'
+                    expr = expr * terms[i]
 
-        left_side = expr
+            left_side = expr
 
-        # Generate right side
-        right_side = rng.randint(self.config.min_value, self.config.max_value)
+            # Generate right side
+            right_side = rng.randint(self.config.min_value, self.config.max_value)
 
-        # Create equation
-        equation = Eq(left_side, right_side)
-        solutions = solve(equation, x)
+            # Create equation
+            equation = Eq(left_side, right_side)
+            solutions = solve(equation, x)
 
-        # Check if we found any solutions
-        if not solutions:
-            return self._generate_equation(rng, variable)
+            # Check if we found any solutions and it's an integer
+            if solutions and isinstance(solutions[0], sympy.Integer):
+                return f"{left_side} = {right_side}", int(solutions[0])
 
-        solution = solutions[0]
-
-        # Only return if solution is a positive integer
-        if not (isinstance(solution, sympy.Integer)):
-            return self._generate_equation(rng, variable)
-
-        return f"{left_side} = {right_side}", int(solution)
+        raise ValueError(f"Could not generate valid equation after {max_attempts} attempts")
 
 
 def simple_equations_dataset(