diff --git a/bin/heat-engine b/bin/heat-engine
index 9a4550c336..d0cf95610e 100755
--- a/bin/heat-engine
+++ b/bin/heat-engine
@@ -44,7 +44,6 @@ from heat.openstack.common import service
 
 from heat.common import config
 from heat.db import api as db_api
-from heat.engine import service as engine
 
 
 logger = logging.getLogger('heat.engine')
@@ -57,6 +56,8 @@ if __name__ == '__main__':
     config.register_engine_opts()
     db_api.configure()
 
+    from heat.engine import service as engine
+
     srv = engine.EngineService(cfg.CONF.host,
                                 'engine')
     launcher = service.launch(srv)