diff --git a/mpi.py b/mpi.py
index f0e4996..d702475 100644
--- a/mpi.py
+++ b/mpi.py
@@ -1,6 +1,14 @@
 """Utilities for making mpi use safer and easier."""
-import sys
-from mpi4py.MPI import *
+import sys,os
+
+try:
+	disable_mpi_env = os.environ['DISABLE_MPI']
+	disable_mpi = True if disable_mpi_env.lower().strip() == "true" else False
+except:
+	disable_mpi = False
+
+if not(disable_mpi):
+	from mpi4py.MPI import *
 # Uncaught exceptions don't cause mpi to abort. This can lead to thousands of
 # wasted CPU hours
 def cleanup(type, value, traceback):