diff --git a/vertica_python/vertica/column.py b/vertica_python/vertica/column.py
index cc0bb27..3266d74 100644
--- a/vertica_python/vertica/column.py
+++ b/vertica_python/vertica/column.py
@@ -5,6 +5,11 @@ from collections import namedtuple
 from decimal import Decimal
 from datetime import date
 from datetime import datetime
+from pkg_resources import require,VersionConflict
+try:
+    require("python_dateutil>=1.5")
+except VersionConflict:
+    pass
 from dateutil import parser
 from vertica_python import errors