diff --git a/specparam/plts/settings.py b/specparam/plts/settings.py
index 263a5bee..b231e6da 100644
--- a/specparam/plts/settings.py
+++ b/specparam/plts/settings.py
@@ -2,13 +2,15 @@
 
 from collections import OrderedDict
 
-import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
+from specparam.core.modutils import safe_import
+
+plt = safe_import('.pyplot', 'matplotlib')
 
 ###################################################################################################
 ###################################################################################################
 
 # Define list of default plot colors
-DEFAULT_COLORS = plt.rcParams['axes.prop_cycle'].by_key()['color']
+DEFAULT_COLORS = plt.rcParams['axes.prop_cycle'].by_key()['color'] if plt else None
 
 # Define default figure sizes
 PLT_FIGSIZES = {'spectral' : (8.5, 6.5),
diff --git a/specparam/plts/style.py b/specparam/plts/style.py
index 05bff602..8b5a71a5 100644
--- a/specparam/plts/style.py
+++ b/specparam/plts/style.py
@@ -3,12 +3,13 @@
 from itertools import cycle
 from functools import wraps
 
-import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
-
+from specparam.core.modutils import safe_import
 from specparam.plts.settings import (AXIS_STYLE_ARGS, LINE_STYLE_ARGS, COLLECTION_STYLE_ARGS,
                                      CUSTOM_STYLE_ARGS, STYLE_ARGS, TICK_LABELSIZE, TITLE_FONTSIZE,
                                      LABEL_SIZE, LEGEND_SIZE, LEGEND_LOC)
 
+plt = safe_import('.pyplot', 'matplotlib')
+
 ###################################################################################################
 ###################################################################################################