diff --git a/obsws_python/baseclient.py b/obsws_python/baseclient.py
index 4b8ba2f..9f43704 100644
--- a/obsws_python/baseclient.py
+++ b/obsws_python/baseclient.py
@@ -6,9 +6,13 @@ from pathlib import Path
 from random import randint
 
 try:
-    import tomllib
+    try:
+        import tomllib
+    except ModuleNotFoundError:
+        import tomli as tomllib
 except ModuleNotFoundError:
-    import tomli as tomllib
+    # ObsClient(host='...', port='...', password='...') must be used
+    tomllib = None
 
 import websocket
 
@@ -21,7 +25,12 @@ class ObsClient:
     def __init__(self, **kwargs):
         defaultkwargs = {"host": "localhost", "port": 4455, "password": None, "subs": 0}
         if not any(key in kwargs for key in ("host", "port", "password")):
-            kwargs |= self._conn_from_toml()
+            if tomllib:
+                kwargs |= self._conn_from_toml()
+            else:
+                raise ModuleNotFoundError(
+                        "tomllib not installed; Perhaps use "
+                        "ObsClient(host='...', port='...', password='...')")
         kwargs = defaultkwargs | kwargs
         for attr, val in kwargs.items():
             setattr(self, attr, val)