diff --git a/spacy/util.py b/spacy/util.py
index d83fe3416..645f8b3f7 100644
--- a/spacy/util.py
+++ b/spacy/util.py
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ import ujson
 
 from .symbols import ORTH
 from .compat import cupy, CudaStream, path2str, basestring_, input_, unicode_
-from .compat import copy_array, normalize_string_keys, getattr_
+from .compat import copy_array, normalize_string_keys, getattr_, import_file
 
 
 LANGUAGES = {}
@@ -112,15 +112,13 @@ def load_model(name, **overrides):
 
 def load_model_from_link(name, **overrides):
     """Load a model from a shortcut link, or directory in spaCy data path."""
-    init_file = get_data_path() / name / '__init__.py'
-    spec = importlib.util.spec_from_file_location(name, str(init_file))
+    path = get_data_path() / name / '__init__.py'
     try:
-        cls = importlib.util.module_from_spec(spec)
+        cls = import_file(name, path)
     except AttributeError:
         raise IOError(
             "Cant' load '%s'. If you're using a shortcut link, make sure it "
             "points to a valid model package (not just a data directory)." % name)
-    spec.loader.exec_module(cls)
     return cls.load(**overrides)