diff --git a/sqlmapapi.py b/sqlmapapi.py
index 03a2807e7..c90c12bb0 100755
--- a/sqlmapapi.py
+++ b/sqlmapapi.py
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ See the file 'doc/COPYING' for copying permission
 import logging
 import optparse
 
+from lib.utils import versioncheck  # this has to be the first non-standard import
+
 from sqlmap import modulePath
 from lib.core.common import setPaths
 from lib.core.data import paths