diff --git a/examples/show_viscube.py b/examples/show_viscube.py
index 5d9570c..6f9d711 100755
--- a/examples/show_viscube.py
+++ b/examples/show_viscube.py
@@ -21,7 +21,13 @@
 import sys
 import gammalib
 import cscripts
-import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
+try:
+    import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
+    plt.figure()
+    plt.close()
+except (ImportError, RuntimeError):
+    print('This script needs the "matplotlib" module')
+    sys.exit()
 
 
 # =========================== #