diff --git a/skimage/novice/__init__.py b/skimage/novice/__init__.py
index fad92768..c315ffc5 100644
--- a/skimage/novice/__init__.py
+++ b/skimage/novice/__init__.py
@@ -69,5 +69,7 @@ jpeg
 False
 
 """
+from ._novice import Picture, open, colors, color_dict
 
-from .novice import Picture, open, colors, color_dict
+
+__all__ = ['Picture', 'open', 'colors', 'color_dict']
diff --git a/skimage/novice/novice.py b/skimage/novice/_novice.py
similarity index 100%
rename from skimage/novice/novice.py
rename to skimage/novice/_novice.py