diff --git a/src/somd2/runner/_runner.py b/src/somd2/runner/_runner.py
index 970b5cb..aefcb0e 100644
--- a/src/somd2/runner/_runner.py
+++ b/src/somd2/runner/_runner.py
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ def __init__(self, system, config):
                 f"Applying perturbation to reference system: {self._config.pert_file}"
             )
             try:
-                from ._somd1 import _apply_pert
+                from .._utils._somd1 import _apply_pert
 
                 self._system = _apply_pert(self._system, self._config.pert_file)
                 self._config.somd1_compatibility = True