diff --git a/pisi/api.py b/pisi/api.py
index cb271670..9fe2c7f9 100644
--- a/pisi/api.py
+++ b/pisi/api.py
@@ -531,13 +531,12 @@ def generate_pending_order(A):
 
 @locked
 def configure_pending(packages=None):
-    # start with pending packages
-    # configure them in reverse topological order of dependency
-    installdb = pisi.db.installdb.InstallDB()
-
     # Import COMAR
     import pisi.comariface
 
+    # start with pending packages
+    # configure them in reverse topological order of dependency
+    installdb = pisi.db.installdb.InstallDB()
     if not packages:
         packages = installdb.list_pending()
     else: