diff --git a/tests/test_pipelines.py b/tests/test_pipelines.py
index cafff5c8..1f63775b 100644
--- a/tests/test_pipelines.py
+++ b/tests/test_pipelines.py
@@ -28,7 +28,11 @@
 # pyproj automatically opens proj.db and never closes it. We can not wait
 # for some dependent code to import it whilst the test is running since then
 # the leak checker will think it is a leak.
-import pyproj  # noqa: F401
+# TODO: Remove import after completing DM-54643. Use DM-54656
+try:
+    import pyproj  # noqa: F401
+except ImportError:
+    pass
 
 from lsst.pipe.base import Pipeline, PipelineGraph
 from lsst.resources import ResourcePath