diff --git a/api/src/app.py b/api/src/app.py
index 84580673..0103d828 100644
--- a/api/src/app.py
+++ b/api/src/app.py
@@ -1,13 +1,6 @@
 # 3rd parth dependencies
 from flask import Flask
-
-try:
-    # unit tests
-    from api.src.modules.core.routes import blueprint
-except:
-    # runtime
-    from modules.core.routes import blueprint
-
+from modules.core.routes import blueprint
 
 def create_app():
     app = Flask(__name__)
diff --git a/api/src/modules/core/routes.py b/api/src/modules/core/routes.py
index 47bacf42..e0256c1c 100644
--- a/api/src/modules/core/routes.py
+++ b/api/src/modules/core/routes.py
@@ -1,12 +1,5 @@
 from flask import Blueprint, request
-
-try:
-    # unit tests
-    from api.src.modules.core import service
-except:
-    # runtime
-    from modules.core import service
-
+from modules.core import service
 from deepface.commons.logger import Logger
 
 logger = Logger(module="api/src/routes.py")
diff --git a/tests/test_api.py b/tests/testing_api.py
similarity index 94%
rename from tests/test_api.py
rename to tests/testing_api.py
index e2dd2e50..e5c9e953 100644
--- a/tests/test_api.py
+++ b/tests/testing_api.py
@@ -1,7 +1,12 @@
+import sys
 import unittest
+from deepface.commons import constant
 from deepface.commons.logger import Logger
 
-from api.src.app import create_app
+# api is not available under deepface import
+sys.path.insert(1, f"{constant.ROOT_DIR}/api/src")
+# pylint: disable=wrong-import-order, wrong-import-position
+from app import create_app
 
 logger = Logger("tests/test_api.py")