diff --git a/src/aare/daq/spreadsheetupdater.py b/src/aare/daq/spreadsheetupdater.py
index e7dc1ee3..8f4b1f06 100644
--- a/src/aare/daq/spreadsheetupdater.py
+++ b/src/aare/daq/spreadsheetupdater.py
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@ import os
 import json
 import websocket
 import time
-import ssl
 from aareDB.models import PuckWithTellPosition
 from aare.common.models import SampleShortInfoList, SampleShortInfo, DewarAddress
 from config import BeamlineConfig
@@ -137,6 +136,7 @@ def main():
     """
     while True:
         try:
+            import ssl
             # Initialize with the modern client protocol
             context = ssl.SSLContext(ssl.PROTOCOL_TLS_CLIENT)