diff --git a/minigu/python/__init__.py b/minigu/python/__init__.py
index 6b4047bbf..b23cf97c7 100644
--- a/minigu/python/__init__.py
+++ b/minigu/python/__init__.py
@@ -40,13 +40,8 @@
     HAS_RUST_BINDINGS = True
     PyMiniGU = minigu_python.PyMiniGU
     # Try to import the error checking functions
-    try:
-        is_transaction_error = minigu_python.is_transaction_error
-        is_not_implemented_error = minigu_python.is_not_implemented_error
-    except AttributeError:
-        # Fallback if these functions are not available
-        is_transaction_error = None
-        is_not_implemented_error = None
+    is_transaction_error = getattr(minigu_python, 'is_transaction_error', None)
+    is_not_implemented_error = getattr(minigu_python, 'is_not_implemented_error', None)
 except ImportError as e:
     # Fallback if the Rust extension is not available
     HAS_RUST_BINDINGS = False
diff --git a/minigu/python/minigu.py b/minigu/python/minigu.py
index e2f1bacef..8749517f4 100644
--- a/minigu/python/minigu.py
+++ b/minigu/python/minigu.py
@@ -13,15 +13,8 @@
 
 # Import from package __init__.py - this is the primary way to get the Rust bindings
 try:
-    from . import HAS_RUST_BINDINGS, PyMiniGU
-    # Try to import the error checking functions
-    try:
-        from . import is_transaction_error, is_not_implemented_error
-    except ImportError:
-        # Fallback if these functions are not available
-        is_transaction_error = None
-        is_not_implemented_error = None
-except ImportError:
+    from . import HAS_RUST_BINDINGS, PyMiniGU, is_transaction_error, is_not_implemented_error
+except (ImportError, ModuleNotFoundError):
     # Fallback when running directly or if package imports fail
     try:
         import minigu_python