diff --git a/solara/settings.py b/solara/settings.py
index 041a95e49..62f60ce11 100644
--- a/solara/settings.py
+++ b/solara/settings.py
@@ -7,9 +7,12 @@
 from .util import get_solara_home
 
 try:
-    import dotenv
+    import importlib
+    dotenv = importlib.import_module('dotenv')
 except ImportError:
-    pass
+    print("dotenv module not installed.")
+except Exception as e:
+    print(f"Other import error: {e}")
 else:
     dotenv.load_dotenv()