diff --git a/release/scripts/modules/bpy_extras/image_utils.py b/release/scripts/modules/bpy_extras/image_utils.py
index a7d0226fa23..045cbc5502c 100644
--- a/release/scripts/modules/bpy_extras/image_utils.py
+++ b/release/scripts/modules/bpy_extras/image_utils.py
@@ -59,6 +59,7 @@ def load_image(imagepath,
     :rtype: :class:`Image`
     """
     import os
+    import bpy
 
     # TODO: recursive