diff --git a/ahriman-core/src/ahriman/core/log/journal_handler.py b/ahriman-core/src/ahriman/core/log/journal_handler.py
index d123ee06..0c1fcc91 100644
--- a/ahriman-core/src/ahriman/core/log/journal_handler.py
+++ b/ahriman-core/src/ahriman/core/log/journal_handler.py
@@ -21,6 +21,8 @@
 from logging import NullHandler
 from typing import Any
 
+from ahriman.core.module_loader import optional_module
+
 
 __all__ = ["JournalHandler"]
 
@@ -40,7 +42,5 @@ class _JournalHandler(NullHandler):
         del args, kwargs
 
 
-try:
-    from systemd.journal import JournalHandler  # type: ignore[import-untyped]
-except ImportError:
-    JournalHandler = _JournalHandler
+systemd_journal = optional_module("systemd.journal")
+JournalHandler = systemd_journal.JournalHandler if systemd_journal else _JournalHandler
diff --git a/ahriman-core/src/ahriman/core/log/log_loader.py b/ahriman-core/src/ahriman/core/log/log_loader.py
index 6662c43a..9db4bc50 100644
--- a/ahriman-core/src/ahriman/core/log/log_loader.py
+++ b/ahriman-core/src/ahriman/core/log/log_loader.py
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ from typing import ClassVar, Literal
 from ahriman.core.configuration import Configuration
 from ahriman.core.log.http_log_handler import HttpLogHandler
 from ahriman.core.log.log_context import LogContext
+from ahriman.core.module_loader import optional_module
 from ahriman.models.log_handler import LogHandler
 from ahriman.models.repository_id import RepositoryId
 
@@ -65,14 +66,11 @@ class LogLoader:
         if selected is not None:
             return selected
 
-        try:
-            from systemd.journal import JournalHandler  # type: ignore[import-untyped]
-            del JournalHandler
+        if optional_module("systemd.journal"):
             return LogHandler.Journald  # journald import was found
-        except ImportError:
-            if LogLoader.DEFAULT_SYSLOG_DEVICE.exists():
-                return LogHandler.Syslog
-            return LogHandler.Console
+        if LogLoader.DEFAULT_SYSLOG_DEVICE.exists():
+            return LogHandler.Syslog
+        return LogHandler.Console
 
     @staticmethod
     def load(repository_id: RepositoryId, configuration: Configuration, handler: LogHandler, *,
diff --git a/ahriman-core/src/ahriman/core/module_loader.py b/ahriman-core/src/ahriman/core/module_loader.py
index ed66e71e..9cb72e93 100644
--- a/ahriman-core/src/ahriman/core/module_loader.py
+++ b/ahriman-core/src/ahriman/core/module_loader.py
@@ -26,8 +26,7 @@ from pkgutil import ModuleInfo, walk_packages
 from types import ModuleType
 from typing import Any, TypeGuard, TypeVar
 
-
-__all__ = ["implementations"]
+__all__ = ["implementations", "optional_module"]
 
 
 T = TypeVar("T")
@@ -74,3 +73,19 @@ def implementations(root_module: ModuleType, base_class: type[T]) -> Iterator[ty
 
             for _, attribute in inspect.getmembers(module, is_base_class):
                 yield attribute
+
+
+def optional_module(module_name: str) -> ModuleType | None:
+    """
+    import an optional module
+
+    Args:
+        module_name(str): fully qualified module name
+
+    Returns:
+        ModuleType | None: imported module or ``None`` when it cannot be imported
+    """
+    try:
+        return import_module(module_name)
+    except ImportError:
+        return None
diff --git a/ahriman-core/tests/ahriman/core/test_module_loader.py b/ahriman-core/tests/ahriman/core/test_module_loader.py
index 72c34929..a1d47682 100644
--- a/ahriman-core/tests/ahriman/core/test_module_loader.py
+++ b/ahriman-core/tests/ahriman/core/test_module_loader.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import ahriman.web.views
 
 from pathlib import Path
 
-from ahriman.core.module_loader import _modules, implementations
+from ahriman.core.module_loader import _modules, implementations, optional_module
 from ahriman.web.views.base import BaseView
 
 
@@ -23,3 +23,17 @@ def test_implementations() -> None:
     assert routes
     assert all(isinstance(view, type) for view in routes)
     assert all(issubclass(view, BaseView) for view in routes)
+
+
+def test_optional_module() -> None:
+    """
+    must import an available module
+    """
+    assert optional_module("ahriman.web.views") is ahriman.web.views
+
+
+def test_optional_module_fallback() -> None:
+    """
+    must return none when the module cannot be imported
+    """
+    assert optional_module("missing_ahriman_module") is None
diff --git a/ahriman-web/src/ahriman/core/auth/helpers.py b/ahriman-web/src/ahriman/core/auth/helpers.py
index 617f4404..6e91af2c 100644
--- a/ahriman-web/src/ahriman/core/auth/helpers.py
+++ b/ahriman-web/src/ahriman/core/auth/helpers.py
@@ -17,18 +17,10 @@
 # You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 # along with this program. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 #
-try:
-    import aiohttp_security
-except ImportError:
-    aiohttp_security = None  # type: ignore[assignment]
-
-try:
-    import aiohttp_session
-except ImportError:
-    aiohttp_session = None  # type: ignore[assignment]
-
 from typing import Any
 
+from ahriman.core.module_loader import optional_module
+
 
 __all__ = [
     "authorized_userid",
@@ -39,6 +31,10 @@ __all__ = [
 ]
 
 
+aiohttp_security = optional_module("aiohttp_security")
+aiohttp_session = optional_module("aiohttp_session")
+
+
 async def authorized_userid(*args: Any, **kwargs: Any) -> Any:
     """
     handle aiohttp security methods
@@ -50,7 +46,7 @@ async def authorized_userid(*args: Any, **kwargs: Any) -> Any:
     Returns:
         Any: ``None`` in case if no aiohttp_security module found and function call otherwise
     """
-    if aiohttp_security is not None:
+    if aiohttp_security:
         return await aiohttp_security.authorized_userid(*args, **kwargs)  # pylint: disable=no-value-for-parameter
     return None
 
@@ -66,7 +62,7 @@ async def check_authorized(*args: Any, **kwargs: Any) -> Any:
     Returns:
         Any: ``None`` in case if no aiohttp_security module found and function call otherwise
     """
-    if aiohttp_security is not None:
+    if aiohttp_security:
         return await aiohttp_security.check_authorized(*args, **kwargs)  # pylint: disable=no-value-for-parameter
     return None
 
@@ -82,7 +78,7 @@ async def forget(*args: Any, **kwargs: Any) -> Any:
     Returns:
         Any: ``None`` in case if no aiohttp_security module found and function call otherwise
     """
-    if aiohttp_security is not None:
+    if aiohttp_security:
         return await aiohttp_security.forget(*args, **kwargs)  # pylint: disable=no-value-for-parameter
     return None
 
@@ -98,7 +94,7 @@ async def get_session(*args: Any, **kwargs: Any) -> Any:
     Returns:
         Any: empty dictionary in case if no aiohttp_session module found and function call otherwise
     """
-    if aiohttp_session is not None:
+    if aiohttp_session:
         return await aiohttp_session.get_session(*args, **kwargs)
     return {}
 
@@ -114,6 +110,6 @@ async def remember(*args: Any, **kwargs: Any) -> Any:
     Returns:
         Any: ``None`` in case if no aiohttp_security module found and function call otherwise
     """
-    if aiohttp_security is not None:
+    if aiohttp_security:
         return await aiohttp_security.remember(*args, **kwargs)  # pylint: disable=no-value-for-parameter
     return None
diff --git a/ahriman-web/src/ahriman/web/apispec/__init__.py b/ahriman-web/src/ahriman/web/apispec/__init__.py
index 1839b1f1..613e9001 100644
--- a/ahriman-web/src/ahriman/web/apispec/__init__.py
+++ b/ahriman-web/src/ahriman/web/apispec/__init__.py
@@ -17,15 +17,20 @@
 # You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 # along with this program. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 #
-try:
-    import aiohttp_apispec  # type: ignore[import-untyped]
+from ahriman.core.module_loader import optional_module
 
-    from marshmallow import Schema, fields
-except ImportError:
+
+aiohttp_apispec = optional_module("aiohttp_apispec")
+marshmallow = optional_module("marshmallow")
+
+
+if aiohttp_apispec and marshmallow:
+    Schema = marshmallow.Schema
+    fields = marshmallow.fields
+else:
     from unittest.mock import Mock
 
     Schema = Mock  # type: ignore[misc]
-    aiohttp_apispec = None
     fields = Mock()
 
 
diff --git a/ahriman-web/src/ahriman/web/apispec/decorators.py b/ahriman-web/src/ahriman/web/apispec/decorators.py
index adc9baaf..7c5a787f 100644
--- a/ahriman-web/src/ahriman/web/apispec/decorators.py
+++ b/ahriman-web/src/ahriman/web/apispec/decorators.py
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ def apidocs(*,
     authorization_required = permission != UserAccess.Unauthorized
 
     def wrapper(handler: Callable[..., Any]) -> Callable[..., Any]:
-        if aiohttp_apispec is None:
+        if not aiohttp_apispec:
             return handler  # apispec is disabled
 
         responses = _response_schema(
diff --git a/ahriman-web/src/ahriman/web/apispec/info.py b/ahriman-web/src/ahriman/web/apispec/info.py
index 4812d3fa..72374acd 100644
--- a/ahriman-web/src/ahriman/web/apispec/info.py
+++ b/ahriman-web/src/ahriman/web/apispec/info.py
@@ -100,20 +100,17 @@ def _servers(application: Application) -> list[dict[str, Any]]:
     }]
 
 
-def setup_apispec(application: Application) -> Any:
+def setup_apispec(application: Application) -> None:
     """
     setup swagger api specification
 
     Args:
         application(Application): web application instance
-
-    Returns:
-        Any: created specification instance if module is available
     """
     if aiohttp_apispec is None:
-        return None
+        return
 
-    return aiohttp_apispec.setup_aiohttp_apispec(
+    aiohttp_apispec.setup_aiohttp_apispec(
         application,
         url="/api-docs/swagger.json",
         openapi_version="3.0.2",
diff --git a/ahriman-web/src/ahriman/web/middlewares/metrics_handler.py b/ahriman-web/src/ahriman/web/middlewares/metrics_handler.py
index 1fba10d3..de29f123 100644
--- a/ahriman-web/src/ahriman/web/middlewares/metrics_handler.py
+++ b/ahriman-web/src/ahriman/web/middlewares/metrics_handler.py
@@ -17,14 +17,10 @@
 # You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 # along with this program. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 #
-try:
-    import aiohttp_openmetrics
-except ImportError:
-    aiohttp_openmetrics = None  # type: ignore[assignment]
-
 from aiohttp.typedefs import Middleware
 from aiohttp.web import HTTPNotFound, Request, Response, StreamResponse, middleware
 
+from ahriman.core.module_loader import optional_module
 from ahriman.web.middlewares import HandlerType
 
 
@@ -34,6 +30,9 @@ __all__ = [
 ]
 
 
+aiohttp_openmetrics = optional_module("aiohttp_openmetrics")
+
+
 async def metrics(request: Request) -> Response:
     """
     handler for returning metrics
@@ -47,7 +46,7 @@ async def metrics(request: Request) -> Response:
     Raises:
         HTTPNotFound: endpoint is disabled
     """
-    if aiohttp_openmetrics is None:
+    if not aiohttp_openmetrics:
         raise HTTPNotFound
     return await aiohttp_openmetrics.metrics(request)
 
@@ -59,7 +58,7 @@ def metrics_handler() -> Middleware:
     Returns:
         Middleware: middleware function to handle server metrics
     """
-    if aiohttp_openmetrics is not None:
+    if aiohttp_openmetrics:
         return aiohttp_openmetrics.metrics_middleware
 
     @middleware
diff --git a/ahriman-web/src/ahriman/web/server_info.py b/ahriman-web/src/ahriman/web/server_info.py
index 63677d03..7c08322b 100644
--- a/ahriman-web/src/ahriman/web/server_info.py
+++ b/ahriman-web/src/ahriman/web/server_info.py
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ async def server_info(view: BaseView) -> dict[str, Any]:
             "username": await authorized_userid(view.request),
         },
         "autorefresh_intervals": sorted(autorefresh_intervals, key=comparator),
-        "docs_enabled": aiohttp_apispec is not None,
+        "docs_enabled": bool(aiohttp_apispec),
         "index_url": view.configuration.get("web", "index_url", fallback=None),
         "repositories": [
             {
diff --git a/ahriman-web/src/ahriman/web/views/api/docs.py b/ahriman-web/src/ahriman/web/views/api/docs.py
index fa873349..bac36094 100644
--- a/ahriman-web/src/ahriman/web/views/api/docs.py
+++ b/ahriman-web/src/ahriman/web/views/api/docs.py
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ class DocsView(BaseView):
             list[str]: list of routes defined for the view. By default, it tries to read :attr:`ROUTES` option if set
             and returns empty list otherwise
         """
-        if aiohttp_apispec is None:
+        if not aiohttp_apispec:
             return []
         return cls.ROUTES
 
diff --git a/ahriman-web/src/ahriman/web/views/api/swagger.py b/ahriman-web/src/ahriman/web/views/api/swagger.py
index c1b91a5c..3599496e 100644
--- a/ahriman-web/src/ahriman/web/views/api/swagger.py
+++ b/ahriman-web/src/ahriman/web/views/api/swagger.py
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ class SwaggerView(BaseView):
             list[str]: list of routes defined for the view. By default, it tries to read :attr:`ROUTES` option if set
             and returns empty list otherwise
         """
-        if aiohttp_apispec is None:
+        if not aiohttp_apispec:
             return []
         return cls.ROUTES
 
diff --git a/ahriman-web/src/ahriman/web/views/v1/user/login.py b/ahriman-web/src/ahriman/web/views/v1/user/login.py
index 47742306..feb693c5 100644
--- a/ahriman-web/src/ahriman/web/views/v1/user/login.py
+++ b/ahriman-web/src/ahriman/web/views/v1/user/login.py
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ from secrets import token_urlsafe
 from typing import ClassVar
 
 from ahriman.core.auth.helpers import get_session, remember
+from ahriman.core.module_loader import optional_module
 from ahriman.models.user_access import UserAccess
 from ahriman.web.apispec.decorators import apidocs
 from ahriman.web.schemas import LoginSchema, OAuth2Schema
@@ -62,14 +63,12 @@ class LoginView(BaseView):
             HTTPMethodNotAllowed: in case if method is used, but OAuth is disabled
             HTTPUnauthorized: if case of authorization error
         """
-        try:
-            from ahriman.core.auth.oauth import OAuth
-        except ImportError:
-            # no aioauth library found
+        oauth = optional_module("ahriman.core.auth.oauth")
+        if not oauth:
             raise HTTPMethodNotAllowed(self.request.method, ["POST"])
 
         oauth_provider = self.validator
-        if not isinstance(oauth_provider, OAuth):
+        if not isinstance(oauth_provider, oauth.OAuth):
             raise HTTPMethodNotAllowed(self.request.method, ["POST"])
 
         session = await get_session(self.request)
diff --git a/ahriman-web/tests/ahriman/web/apispec/test_info.py b/ahriman-web/tests/ahriman/web/apispec/test_info.py
index 5372ddaf..e4f3023c 100644
--- a/ahriman-web/tests/ahriman/web/apispec/test_info.py
+++ b/ahriman-web/tests/ahriman/web/apispec/test_info.py
@@ -48,7 +48,8 @@ def test_setup_apispec(application: Application, mocker: MockerFixture) -> None:
     must set api specification
     """
     apispec_mock = mocker.patch("aiohttp_apispec.setup_aiohttp_apispec")
-    assert setup_apispec(application)
+
+    setup_apispec(application)
     apispec_mock.assert_called_once_with(
         application,
         url="/api-docs/swagger.json",
diff --git a/ahriman-web/tests/ahriman/web/views/v1/user/test_view_v1_user_login.py b/ahriman-web/tests/ahriman/web/views/v1/user/test_view_v1_user_login.py
index 5ff6d26d..d64dd02d 100644
--- a/ahriman-web/tests/ahriman/web/views/v1/user/test_view_v1_user_login.py
+++ b/ahriman-web/tests/ahriman/web/views/v1/user/test_view_v1_user_login.py
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ async def test_get_import_error(client_with_auth: TestClient, mocker: MockerFixt
     """
     must return 405 on import error
     """
-    pytest.helpers.import_error("ahriman.core.auth.oauth", ["OAuth"], mocker)
+    mocker.patch("ahriman.web.views.v1.user.login.optional_module", return_value=None)
     response = await client_with_auth.get("/api/v1/login")
     assert response.status == 405
 
diff --git a/tools/pytest_plugins/ahriman_fixtures/__init__.py b/tools/pytest_plugins/ahriman_fixtures/__init__.py
index 80d202f7..102d3734 100644
--- a/tools/pytest_plugins/ahriman_fixtures/__init__.py
+++ b/tools/pytest_plugins/ahriman_fixtures/__init__.py
@@ -117,36 +117,12 @@ def get_package_status_extended(package: Package) -> dict[str, Any]:
     return {"status": BuildStatus().view(), "package": package.view()}
 
 
-def import_error(package: str, components: list[str], mocker: MockerFixture) -> MagicMock:
-    """
-    mock import error
-
-    Args:
-        package(str): package name to import
-        components(list[str]): component to import if any (e.g. from ... import ...)
-        mocker(MockerFixture): mocker object
-
-    Returns:
-        MagicMock: mocked object
-    """
-    import builtins
-    _import = builtins.__import__
-
-    # pylint: disable=redefined-builtin
-    def test_import(name: str, globals: Any, locals: Any, from_list: list[str], level: Any):
-        if name == package and (not components or any(component in from_list for component in components)):
-            raise ImportError
-        return _import(name, globals, locals, from_list, level)
-
-    return mocker.patch.object(builtins, "__import__", test_import)
-
-
 @pytest.hookimpl(trylast=True)
 def pytest_configure() -> None:
     """
     register helpers after pytest-helpers-namespace has initialized
     """
-    for helper in (anyvar, get_package_status, get_package_status_extended, import_error):
+    for helper in (anyvar, get_package_status, get_package_status_extended):
         pytest.helpers.register(helper)