diff --git a/rest_auth/models.py b/rest_auth/models.py
index c40779e..b496706 100644
--- a/rest_auth/models.py
+++ b/rest_auth/models.py
@@ -1,7 +1,10 @@
 from django.conf import settings
 
 if getattr(settings, 'REST_USE_KNOX', False):
-	from knox.models import AuthToken as DefaultTokenModel
+	try:
+        from knox.models import AuthToken as DefaultTokenModel
+    except ImportError:
+        raise ImportError("Install django-rest-knox to use REST_USE_KNOX = True")
 else:
 	from rest_framework.authtoken.models import Token as DefaultTokenModel