diff --git a/virtualhome/__init__.py b/virtualhome/__init__.py
index 184ac266d..2fdf92a14 100644
--- a/virtualhome/__init__.py
+++ b/virtualhome/__init__.py
@@ -7,5 +7,12 @@
 new_path = original_path + '/virtualhome/simulation'
 sys.path.append(new_path)
 
-from unity_simulator.comm_unity import UnityCommunication
-from unity_simulator import utils_viz
\ No newline at end of file
+# if installed via pip
+try:
+    from unity_simulator.comm_unity import UnityCommunication
+    from unity_simulator import utils_viz
+
+# if running locally (cloned into the project repository)
+except ModuleNotFoundError:
+    from .simulation.unity_simulator.comm_unity import UnityCommunication
+    from .simulation.unity_simulator import utils_viz