diff --git a/skimage/viewer/canvastools/recttool.py b/skimage/viewer/canvastools/recttool.py
index 5eeb6f23..ae962761 100644
--- a/skimage/viewer/canvastools/recttool.py
+++ b/skimage/viewer/canvastools/recttool.py
@@ -1,4 +1,7 @@
-import matplotlib.widgets as mwidgets
+try:
+    import matplotlib.widgets as mwidgets
+except ImportError:
+    print("Could not import matplotlib -- skimage.viewer not available.")
 
 from skimage.viewer.canvastools.base import CanvasToolBase
 from skimage.viewer.canvastools.base import ToolHandles