diff --git a/Py6S/SixSHelpers/all_angles.py b/Py6S/SixSHelpers/all_angles.py
index 5089567..8d4e590 100644
--- a/Py6S/SixSHelpers/all_angles.py
+++ b/Py6S/SixSHelpers/all_angles.py
@@ -224,6 +224,11 @@ def plot_polar_contour(
         After that code the azimuths, zeniths and values lists will be ready to be passed into this function.
 
         """
+        try:
+            from matplotlib.pyplot import subplots
+        except ImportError:
+            raise ImportError("You must install matplotlib to use the plotting functionality")
+
         theta = np.radians(azimuths)
         zeniths = np.array(zeniths)