diff --git a/nur/combine.py b/nur/combine.py
index 10c3f7306..f9a299ead 100644
--- a/nur/combine.py
+++ b/nur/combine.py
@@ -185,7 +185,11 @@ def combine_command(args: Namespace) -> None:
     notifications = update_combined(combined_path)
 
     if args.irc_notify:
-        from .irc_notify import send
+        try:
+            from .irc_notify import send
+        except ImportError as e:
+            print(f"failed to import irc_notify, skipping notification: {e}")
+            return
 
         try:
             send(args.irc_notify, notifications)