diff --git a/pyweb/mumble/MumbleCtlIce.py b/pyweb/mumble/MumbleCtlIce.py
index b755139..1497948 100644
--- a/pyweb/mumble/MumbleCtlIce.py
+++ b/pyweb/mumble/MumbleCtlIce.py
@@ -41,13 +41,18 @@ def loadSlice( slicefile ):
 
     # Ice returns '' in getSliceDir() sometimes. (I kid you not.)
     if not icepath:
-        from django.conf import settings
-        icepath = settings.SLICEDIR
-        if not exists( join( icepath, "Ice", "SliceChecksumDict.ice" ) ):
+        try:
+            from django.conf import settings
+        except ImportError:
+            # CTL is being used independently from MD
             icepath = None
+        else:
+            icepath = settings.SLICEDIR
+            if not exists( join( icepath, "Ice", "SliceChecksumDict.ice" ) ):
+                icepath = None
 
     if not icepath:
-        # last resort when getSliceDir fails AND settings are wrong, won't work for >=1.2.3
+        # last resort when getSliceDir fails AND settings are wrong/unavailable, won't work for >=1.2.3
         Ice.loadSlice( slicefile )
     else:
         Ice.loadSlice( '', ['-I' + icepath, slicefile ] )