diff --git a/scikits/image/analysis/__init__.py b/scikits/image/analysis/__init__.py
index 65e7dc01..ab753358 100644
--- a/scikits/image/analysis/__init__.py
+++ b/scikits/image/analysis/__init__.py
@@ -1 +1,9 @@
-from spath import shortest_path
+try:
+    from spath import shortest_path
+except ImportError:
+    print """*** The shortest path extension has not been compiled.  Run
+
+python setup.py build_ext -i
+
+in the source directory to build in-place.  Please refer to INSTALL.txt
+for further detail."""