diff --git a/apps/microtvm/arduino/template_project/microtvm_api_server.py b/apps/microtvm/arduino/template_project/microtvm_api_server.py
index e6ddab78b26d9..131f92a208298 100644
--- a/apps/microtvm/arduino/template_project/microtvm_api_server.py
+++ b/apps/microtvm/arduino/template_project/microtvm_api_server.py
@@ -34,8 +34,6 @@
 import re
 
 from packaging import version
-import serial
-import serial.tools.list_ports
 
 from tvm.micro.project_api import server
 
@@ -486,6 +484,9 @@ def flash(self, options):
         subprocess.run(upload_cmd, check=True)
 
     def open_transport(self, options):
+        import serial
+        import serial.tools.list_ports
+
         # Zephyr example doesn't throw an error in this case
         if self._serial is not None:
             return