diff --git a/bash_kernel/install.py b/bash_kernel/install.py
index 3de6cd3..15610bb 100644
--- a/bash_kernel/install.py
+++ b/bash_kernel/install.py
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ def install_my_kernel_spec(user=True):
         install_kernel_spec(td, 'bash', user=user, replace=True)
 
 def _is_root():
-    import ctypes, os
+    import os
     try:
         return os.geteuid() == 0
     except AttributeError: