diff --git a/qt/aqt/browser/__init__.py b/qt/aqt/browser/__init__.py
index 15e42606f..4ce6d4e92 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/browser/__init__.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/browser/__init__.py
@@ -37,3 +37,5 @@ from .table import (
 # aliases for legacy pathnames
 sys.modules["aqt.find_and_replace"] = sys.modules["aqt.browser.dialogs"]
 aqt.find_and_replace = sys.modules["aqt.browser.dialogs"]  # type: ignore
+sys.modules["aqt.sidebar"] = sys.modules["aqt.browser.sidebar"]
+aqt.sidebar = sys.modules["aqt.browser.sidebar"]  # type: ignore
diff --git a/qt/aqt/browser/sidebar/__init__.py b/qt/aqt/browser/sidebar/__init__.py
index 5eaef6809..f7c73c32a 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/browser/sidebar/__init__.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/browser/sidebar/__init__.py
@@ -1,8 +1,5 @@
 # Copyright: Ankitects Pty Ltd and contributors
 # License: GNU AGPL, version 3 or later; http://www.gnu.org/licenses/agpl.html
-import sys
-
-import aqt
 from anki.utils import isMac
 from aqt.theme import theme_manager
 
@@ -16,7 +13,3 @@ from .model import SidebarModel
 from .searchbar import SidebarSearchBar
 from .toolbar import SidebarTool, SidebarToolbar
 from .tree import SidebarStage, SidebarTreeView
-
-# alias for the legacy pathname
-sys.modules["aqt.sidebar"] = sys.modules["aqt.browser.sidebar"]
-aqt.sidebar = sys.modules["aqt.browser.sidebar"]  # type: ignore