diff --git a/manila/share/drivers/lxd.py b/manila/share/drivers/lxd.py
index e690500e60..e118581fac 100644
--- a/manila/share/drivers/lxd.py
+++ b/manila/share/drivers/lxd.py
@@ -25,14 +25,30 @@ import re
 
 from oslo_config import cfg
 from oslo_log import log
-from pylxd import api as lxd_api
-from pylxd import exceptions as pylxd_exc
+# NOTE(tbarron): pylxd module is unavailable in some distribtutions so
+# handle this circumstance gracefully.  Also handle failure to import
+# pylxd_exc directly in versions >= pylxd 2.
+try:
+    from pylxd import api as lxd_api
+    try:
+        from pylxd import exceptions as pylxd_exc
+        NO_LXD = False
+    except ImportError:
+        try:
+            # pylint: disable=E0611
+            from pylxd.deprecated import exceptions as pylxd_exc
+            NO_LXD = False
+        except ImportError:
+            NO_LXD = True
+except ImportError:
+    NO_LXD = True
 import six
 
 from manila.common import constants as const
 from manila import context
 from manila import exception
 from manila.i18n import _
+from manila.i18n import _LI
 from manila.i18n import _LW
 from manila.share import driver
 from manila import utils
@@ -92,6 +108,10 @@ CONF.register_opts(lv_opts)
 class LXDHelper(object):
 
     def __init__(self, lxd_api, config):
+        if NO_LXD:
+            LOG.info(_LI('pylxd modules are not present on this system: LXD '
+                         'driver will not function.'))
+            return
         super(LXDHelper, self).__init__()
         self.api = lxd_api
         self.conf = config
diff --git a/manila/tests/share/drivers/test_lxd.py b/manila/tests/share/drivers/test_lxd.py
index 5dee8b58b3..4fd4ada0bf 100644
--- a/manila/tests/share/drivers/test_lxd.py
+++ b/manila/tests/share/drivers/test_lxd.py
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
 import functools
 import mock
 from oslo_config import cfg
+import testtools
 
 from manila.common import constants as const
 from manila import context
@@ -28,7 +29,6 @@ from manila.tests.db import fakes as db_fakes
 from manila.tests import fake_utils
 from manila import utils
 
-
 CONF = cfg.CONF
 
 
@@ -71,6 +71,7 @@ def fake_network(**kwargs):
     return db_fakes.FakeModel(network)
 
 
+@testtools.skipIf(lxd.NO_LXD, "pylxd is unavailable")
 class LXDHelperTestCase(test.TestCase):
     """Tests LXDUnfs3Helper"""
 
@@ -219,6 +220,7 @@ class LXDHelperTestCase(test.TestCase):
         fake_stream.close.assert_called_once_with()
 
 
+@testtools.skipIf(lxd.NO_LXD, "pylxd is unavailable")
 class LXDUnfs3HelperTestCase(test.TestCase):
     """Tests LXDUnfs3Helper"""
 
@@ -432,6 +434,7 @@ class LXDUnfs3HelperTestCase(test.TestCase):
         self.assertFalse(self.UNFS3Helper._deny_access.called)
 
 
+@testtools.skipIf(lxd.NO_LXD, "pylxd is unavailable")
 class LXDCIFSHelperTestCase(test.TestCase):
     """Tests LXDCIFSHelper"""
 
@@ -671,6 +674,7 @@ class LXDCIFSHelperTestCase(test.TestCase):
         self.assertFalse(self.CIFSHelper._deny_access.called)
 
 
+@testtools.skipIf(lxd.NO_LXD, "pylxd is unavailable")
 class LXDDriverTestCase(test.TestCase):
     """Tests LXDDriver."""