diff --git a/swh/journal/writer/__init__.py b/swh/journal/writer/__init__.py
--- a/swh/journal/writer/__init__.py
+++ b/swh/journal/writer/__init__.py
@@ -3,11 +3,10 @@
 # License: GNU General Public License version 3, or any later version
 # See top-level LICENSE file for more information
 
-import warnings
-
 
 def get_journal_writer(cls, **kwargs):
     if 'args' in kwargs:
+        import warnings
         warnings.warn(
             'Explicit "args" key is deprecated, use keys directly instead.',
             DeprecationWarning)