diff --git a/setuptools/py34compat.py b/setuptools/py34compat.py
index 54157a63..3ad91722 100644
--- a/setuptools/py34compat.py
+++ b/setuptools/py34compat.py
@@ -1,5 +1,10 @@
 import importlib
 
+try:
+    import importlib.util
+except ImportError:
+    pass
+
 
 try:
     module_from_spec = importlib.util.module_from_spec