diff --git a/merlin/models/tf/distributed/backend.py b/merlin/models/tf/distributed/backend.py
index 78445d3b44..760d898c94 100644
--- a/merlin/models/tf/distributed/backend.py
+++ b/merlin/models/tf/distributed/backend.py
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 
 
 try:
-    import horovod.tensorflow.keras as hvd  # noqa: F401
+    import sparse_operation_kit as sok  # noqa: F401
 
     hvd_installed = True
 except ImportError: