diff --git a/compiler/semexprs.nim b/compiler/semexprs.nim
index f1d2261607..8e3aeffbe6 100644
--- a/compiler/semexprs.nim
+++ b/compiler/semexprs.nim
@@ -2376,7 +2376,14 @@ proc semExpr(c: PContext, n: PNode, flags: TExprFlags = {}): PNode =
   of nkMacroDef: result = semMacroDef(c, n)
   of nkTemplateDef: result = semTemplateDef(c, n)
   of nkImportStmt:
-    if not isTopLevel(c): localError(n.info, errXOnlyAtModuleScope, "import")
+    # this particular way allows 'import' in a 'compiles' context so that
+    # template canImport(x): bool =
+    #   compiles:
+    #     import x
+    #
+    # works:
+    if c.currentScope.depthLevel > 2 + c.compilesContextId:
+      localError(n.info, errXOnlyAtModuleScope, "import")
     result = evalImport(c, n)
   of nkImportExceptStmt:
     if not isTopLevel(c): localError(n.info, errXOnlyAtModuleScope, "import")
diff --git a/tests/modules/tcanimport.nim b/tests/modules/tcanimport.nim
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..bc4e2e53f5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/modules/tcanimport.nim
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+discard """
+  output: '''ABC
+nope'''
+"""
+
+template canImport(x): bool =
+  compiles:
+    import x
+
+when canImport(strutils):
+  import strutils
+  echo "abc".toUpperAscii
+else:
+  echo "meh"
+
+when canImport(none):
+  echo "what"
+else:
+  echo "nope"