diff --git a/src/crc32c/__init__.py b/src/crc32c/__init__.py
index ab8a04e5e..2458c8964 100644
--- a/src/crc32c/__init__.py
+++ b/src/crc32c/__init__.py
@@ -14,10 +14,6 @@
 
 import warnings
 
-# NOTE: ``__config__`` **must** be the first import because it (may)
-#       modify the search path used to locate shared libraries.
-import crc32c.__config__
-
 _SLOW_CRC32C_WARNING = (
     "Currently using crcmod in pure python form. This is a slow "
     "implementation. If you can compile a c extension, you will have much "
diff --git a/src/crc32c/cffi.py b/src/crc32c/cffi.py
index c0834d4b3..aef00603d 100644
--- a/src/crc32c/cffi.py
+++ b/src/crc32c/cffi.py
@@ -1,5 +1,8 @@
 import struct
 
+# NOTE: ``__config__`` **must** be the first import because it (may)
+#       modify the search path used to locate shared libraries.
+import crc32c.__config__
 import crc32c._crc32c_cffi
 
 def extend(crc, chunk):