diff --git a/pywal/colors.py b/pywal/colors.py
index a507b41..41b2a44 100644
--- a/pywal/colors.py
+++ b/pywal/colors.py
@@ -117,10 +117,10 @@ def get(img, light=False, backend="default", cache_dir=CACHE_DIR):
         # Dynamically import the backend we want to use.
         # This keeps the dependencies "optional".
         try:
-            __import__("pywal.backends.%s" % backend)
+            util.variable_import("pywal.backends.%s" % backend)
         except ImportError:
+            util.variable_import("pywal.backends.wal")
             backend = "wal"
-            __import__("pywal.backends.%s" % backend)
 
         logging.info("Using %s backend.", backend)
         backend = sys.modules["pywal.backends.%s" % backend]
diff --git a/pywal/util.py b/pywal/util.py
index 0c678c9..e245404 100644
--- a/pywal/util.py
+++ b/pywal/util.py
@@ -92,6 +92,11 @@ def create_dir(directory):
     os.makedirs(directory, exist_ok=True)
 
 
+def variable_import(module):
+    """Import a module dynamically."""
+    __import__(module)
+
+
 def setup_logging():
     """Logging config."""
     logging.basicConfig(format=("[%(levelname)s\033[0m] "