diff --git a/youtube_dl/postprocessor/embedthumbnail.py b/youtube_dl/postprocessor/embedthumbnail.py
index 405ea2dbd..de6a645e2 100644
--- a/youtube_dl/postprocessor/embedthumbnail.py
+++ b/youtube_dl/postprocessor/embedthumbnail.py
@@ -5,9 +5,12 @@ from __future__ import unicode_literals
 import os
 import subprocess
 
-import imghdr
-from mutagen.id3 import PictureType, ID3, APIC
-from mutagen.mp4 import MP4, MP4Cover
+try:
+    import imghdr
+    from mutagen.id3 import PictureType, ID3, APIC
+    from mutagen.mp4 import MP4, MP4Cover
+except ImportError:
+    raise Exception('[embedthumbnail] Mutagen isn\'t found as a dependency to embed thumbnails!')
 
 from .ffmpeg import FFmpegPostProcessor