diff --git a/rich/console.py b/rich/console.py
index 576813de63..b29c90aefc 100644
--- a/rich/console.py
+++ b/rich/console.py
@@ -31,8 +31,6 @@
     cast,
 )
 
-from rich._win32_console import LegacyWindowsTerm
-
 if sys.version_info >= (3, 8):
     from typing import Literal, Protocol, runtime_checkable
 else:
@@ -1913,6 +1911,7 @@ def _check_buffer(self) -> None:
                 else:
                     if WINDOWS:
                         if self.legacy_windows:
+                            from rich._win32_console import LegacyWindowsTerm
                             from rich._windows_renderer import legacy_windows_render
 
                             legacy_windows_render(