diff --git a/cornac/serving/app.py b/cornac/serving/app.py
index 6b4076616..f55721da5 100644
--- a/cornac/serving/app.py
+++ b/cornac/serving/app.py
@@ -17,9 +17,16 @@
 
 import os
 import pickle
-from flask import Flask, jsonify, request
 from csv import writer
 
+try:
+    from flask import Flask, jsonify, request
+except ImportError:
+    exit(
+        "Flask is required in order to serve models.\n"
+        + "Run: pip3 install Flask"
+    )
+
 
 def _import_model_class(model_class):
     components = model_class.split(".")
diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index 22492c12d..d81bc3d2f 100644
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -308,7 +308,7 @@ def extract_gcc_binaries():
         "recommendation",
     ],
     ext_modules=extensions,
-    install_requires=["numpy", "scipy", "tqdm>=4.19", "powerlaw", "Flask>=3.0.0"],
+    install_requires=["numpy", "scipy", "tqdm>=4.19", "powerlaw"],
     extras_require={"tests": ["pytest", "pytest-pep8", "pytest-xdist", "pytest-cov"]},
     cmdclass=cmdclass,
     packages=find_packages(),