diff --git a/squinnondation/squinnondation.py b/squinnondation/squinnondation.py
index dec84df..c4916bd 100644
--- a/squinnondation/squinnondation.py
+++ b/squinnondation/squinnondation.py
@@ -11,9 +11,6 @@ from ipaddress import IPv6Address
 from threading import Thread
 from typing import Any, List, Optional, Tuple
 
-import emoji
-from emoji import unicode_codes
-
 from squinnondation.term_manager import TermManager
 
 
@@ -64,6 +61,17 @@ class Squinnondation:
             curses.noecho()
 
             squirrel = Squirrel(instance, nickname)
+
+            if not squirrel.squinnondation.no_emoji:
+                # Check that the emoji lib is installed
+                try:
+                    import emoji
+                    _ = emoji
+                except ImportError:
+                    squirrel.squinnondation.no_emoji = True
+                    squirrel.add_system_message("Warning: the emoji lib is not installed. The support will be disabled."
+                                                "To use them, please consider to install the emoji package.")
+
             squirrel.refresh_history()
             squirrel.refresh_input()
             if not instance.no_emoji:
@@ -640,6 +648,9 @@ class Squirrel(Hazelnut):
         The emoji pad contains the list of all available emojis.
         Clicking on a emoji auto-complete the emoji in the input pad.
         """
+        import emoji
+        from emoji import unicode_codes
+
         height, width = self.emoji_pad.getmaxyx()
         height -= 1
         width -= 1
@@ -684,6 +695,7 @@ class Squirrel(Hazelnut):
         """
         # Replace :emoji_name: by the good emoji
         if not self.squinnondation.no_emoji:
+            import emoji
             msg = emoji.emojize(msg, use_aliases=True)
 
         if self.squinnondation.no_markdown:
@@ -795,6 +807,11 @@ class Squirrel(Hazelnut):
         """
         Display the emoji pad if necessary.
         """
+        if self.squinnondation.no_emoji:
+            return
+
+        from emoji import unicode_codes
+
         self.emoji_pad.erase()
 
         if self.emoji_panel_page > 0: