diff --git a/_modules/reclass.py b/_modules/reclass.py
index a2d79bd..46b2b86 100644
--- a/_modules/reclass.py
+++ b/_modules/reclass.py
@@ -17,13 +17,17 @@
 import re
 
 import urlparse
-
-from reclass import get_storage, output
-from reclass.adapters.salt import ext_pillar
-from reclass.core import Core
-from reclass.config import find_and_read_configfile
 from string import Template
-from reclass.errors import ReclassException
+
+try:
+    from reclass import get_storage, output
+    from reclass.adapters.salt import ext_pillar
+    from reclass.core import Core
+    from reclass.config import find_and_read_configfile
+    from reclass.errors import ReclassException
+    HAS_RECLASS = True
+except ImportError:
+    HAS_RECLASS = False
 
 
 LOG = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -34,6 +38,8 @@
     Only load this module if reclass
     is installed on this minion.
     '''
+    if not HAS_RECLASS:
+        return False, "'reclass' python library is unavailable"
     return 'reclass'