diff --git a/qt/aqt/qt/__init__.py b/qt/aqt/qt/__init__.py
index 52d854605..db9f18524 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/qt/__init__.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/qt/__init__.py
@@ -10,13 +10,15 @@ import traceback
 from typing import Callable, Union
 
 try:
+    import PyQt6
+except:
+    from .qt5 import *  # type: ignore
+else:
     if not os.getenv("DISABLE_QT5_COMPAT"):
         print("Running with temporary Qt5 compatibility shims.")
         print("Run with DISABLE_QT5_COMPAT=1 to confirm compatibility with Qt6.")
         from . import qt5_compat  # needs to be imported first
     from .qt6 import *
-except:
-    from .qt5 import *  # type: ignore
 
 from anki.utils import isMac, isWin