diff --git a/tests/runner.py b/tests/runner.py
index a6af7d1b..e0cc2fe2 100644
--- a/tests/runner.py
+++ b/tests/runner.py
@@ -4,9 +4,8 @@
 import sys
 import unittest
 
-import coverage
-
 if '--coverage' in sys.argv:
+    import coverage
     # Start collecting coverage
     cov = coverage.Coverage()
     cov.start()