diff --git a/src/pytest_bdd/testing_utils.py b/src/pytest_bdd/testing_utils.py
index b9f229e4..a3344943 100644
--- a/src/pytest_bdd/testing_utils.py
+++ b/src/pytest_bdd/testing_utils.py
@@ -1,12 +1,13 @@
 from functools import partial
 from itertools import islice
 from operator import attrgetter
-from typing import Optional
-
-from cucumber_messages import DataTable
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Optional
 
 from pytest_bdd.utils import compose
 
+if TYPE_CHECKING:  # pragma: no cover
+    from cucumber_messages import DataTable
+
 
 def data_table_to_dicts(data_table: Optional[DataTable]):
     if data_table is None: