diff --git a/watcher/datasources/ceilometer.py b/watcher/datasources/ceilometer.py
index 290c1d7ed..28e3eeee7 100644
--- a/watcher/datasources/ceilometer.py
+++ b/watcher/datasources/ceilometer.py
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@
 
 import datetime
 
-from ceilometerclient import exc
 from oslo_log import log
 from oslo_utils import timeutils
 
@@ -31,6 +30,13 @@ from watcher.datasources import base
 LOG = log.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
+try:
+    from ceilometerclient import exc
+    HAS_CEILCLIENT = True
+except ImportError:
+    HAS_CEILCLIENT = False
+
+
 class CeilometerHelper(base.DataSourceBase):
 
     NAME = 'ceilometer'