diff --git a/src/api.py b/src/api.py
index ded65b3fc..398e82ceb 100644
--- a/src/api.py
+++ b/src/api.py
@@ -1551,8 +1551,8 @@ def HandleListConnections(self):
         Returns bitmessage connection information as dict with keys *inbound*,
         *outbound*.
         """
-        if connectionpool is None:
-            raise APIError(21, 'Could not import BMConnectionPool.')
+        if connectionpool is None or connectionpool.pool is None:
+            raise APIError(21, 'Network is not started.')
         inboundConnections = []
         outboundConnections = []
         for i in connectionpool.pool.inboundConnections.values():
diff --git a/src/network/__init__.py b/src/network/__init__.py
index c87ad64d6..f7ba31f32 100644
--- a/src/network/__init__.py
+++ b/src/network/__init__.py
@@ -20,7 +20,8 @@
 def start(config, state):
     """Start network threads"""
     from .announcethread import AnnounceThread
-    import connectionpool  # pylint: disable=relative-import
+    from . import connectionpool
+    from .connectionpool import BMConnectionPool
     from .addrthread import AddrThread
     from .downloadthread import DownloadThread
     from .invthread import InvThread
@@ -29,6 +30,9 @@ def start(config, state):
     from .receivequeuethread import ReceiveQueueThread
     from .uploadthread import UploadThread
 
+    # create the connection pool
+    connectionpool.pool = BMConnectionPool()
+
     # check and set dandelion enabled value at network startup
     dandelion_ins.init_dandelion_enabled(config)
     # pass pool instance into dandelion class instance
diff --git a/src/network/addrthread.py b/src/network/addrthread.py
index 81e445060..e85bb2a12 100644
--- a/src/network/addrthread.py
+++ b/src/network/addrthread.py
@@ -4,12 +4,11 @@
 import random
 from six.moves import queue
 
-# magic imports!
-import connectionpool
+from . import connectionpool
 from protocol import assembleAddrMessage
 from network import addrQueue  # FIXME: init with queue
 
-from threads import StoppableThread
+from .threads import StoppableThread
 
 
 class AddrThread(StoppableThread):
diff --git a/src/network/advanceddispatcher.py b/src/network/advanceddispatcher.py
index 49f0d19d7..33c0c12ed 100644
--- a/src/network/advanceddispatcher.py
+++ b/src/network/advanceddispatcher.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 
 import network.asyncore_pollchoose as asyncore
 import state
-from threads import BusyError, nonBlocking
+from .threads import BusyError, nonBlocking
 
 
 class ProcessingError(Exception):
diff --git a/src/network/announcethread.py b/src/network/announcethread.py
index 7cb35e779..3d27bcb3f 100644
--- a/src/network/announcethread.py
+++ b/src/network/announcethread.py
@@ -3,13 +3,12 @@
 """
 import time
 
-# magic imports!
-import connectionpool
+from . import connectionpool
 from bmconfigparser import config
 from protocol import assembleAddrMessage
 
-from node import Peer
-from threads import StoppableThread
+from .node import Peer
+from .threads import StoppableThread
 
 
 class AnnounceThread(StoppableThread):
diff --git a/src/network/bmobject.py b/src/network/bmobject.py
index 1a54fc7b7..61b930461 100644
--- a/src/network/bmobject.py
+++ b/src/network/bmobject.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 
 import protocol
 import state
-import connectionpool
+from . import connectionpool
 from network import dandelion_ins
 from highlevelcrypto import calculateInventoryHash
 
diff --git a/src/network/bmproto.py b/src/network/bmproto.py
index fbb5a06e4..e49ccc20b 100644
--- a/src/network/bmproto.py
+++ b/src/network/bmproto.py
@@ -12,10 +12,10 @@
 
 # magic imports!
 import addresses
-import knownnodes
 import protocol
 import state
-import connectionpool
+from . import connectionpool
+from . import knownnodes
 from bmconfigparser import config
 from queues import objectProcessorQueue
 from randomtrackingdict import RandomTrackingDict
@@ -27,8 +27,8 @@
 )
 from network.proxy import ProxyError
 from network import dandelion_ins, invQueue, portCheckerQueue
-from node import Node, Peer
-from objectracker import ObjectTracker, missingObjects
+from .node import Node, Peer
+from .objectracker import ObjectTracker, missingObjects
 
 
 logger = logging.getLogger('default')
diff --git a/src/network/connectionchooser.py b/src/network/connectionchooser.py
index e2981d51c..217a883da 100644
--- a/src/network/connectionchooser.py
+++ b/src/network/connectionchooser.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 
 from six.moves import queue
 
-import knownnodes
+from . import knownnodes
 import protocol
 import state
 
diff --git a/src/network/connectionpool.py b/src/network/connectionpool.py
index 93e54af8e..5bcd94ad7 100644
--- a/src/network/connectionpool.py
+++ b/src/network/connectionpool.py
@@ -9,18 +9,14 @@
 import time
 import random
 
-import asyncore_pollchoose as asyncore
-import knownnodes
+from . import asyncore_pollchoose as asyncore
+from . import knownnodes
 import protocol
 import state
 from bmconfigparser import config
-from connectionchooser import chooseConnection
-from node import Peer
-from proxy import Proxy
-from tcp import (
-    bootstrap, Socks4aBMConnection, Socks5BMConnection,
-    TCPConnection, TCPServer)
-from udp import UDPSocket
+from .connectionchooser import chooseConnection
+from .node import Peer
+from .proxy import Proxy
 
 logger = logging.getLogger('default')
 
@@ -123,6 +119,7 @@ def isAlreadyConnected(self, nodeid):
 
     def addConnection(self, connection):
         """Add a connection object to our internal dict"""
+        from .udp import UDPSocket
         if isinstance(connection, UDPSocket):
             return
         if connection.isOutbound:
@@ -136,6 +133,8 @@ def addConnection(self, connection):
 
     def removeConnection(self, connection):
         """Remove a connection from our internal dict"""
+        from .tcp import TCPServer
+        from .udp import UDPSocket
         if isinstance(connection, UDPSocket):
             del self.udpSockets[connection.listening.host]
         elif isinstance(connection, TCPServer):
@@ -177,6 +176,7 @@ def getListeningIP():
 
     def startListening(self, bind=None):
         """Open a listening socket and start accepting connections on it"""
+        from .tcp import TCPServer
         if bind is None:
             bind = self.getListeningIP()
         port = config.safeGetInt("bitmessagesettings", "port")
@@ -189,6 +189,7 @@ def startUDPSocket(self, bind=None):
         Open an UDP socket. Depending on settings, it can either only
         accept incoming UDP packets, or also be able to send them.
         """
+        from .udp import UDPSocket
         if bind is None:
             host = self.getListeningIP()
             udpSocket = UDPSocket(host=host, announcing=True)
@@ -201,6 +202,9 @@ def startUDPSocket(self, bind=None):
 
     def startBootstrappers(self):
         """Run the process of resolving bootstrap hostnames"""
+        from .tcp import (
+            bootstrap, Socks4aBMConnection, Socks5BMConnection,
+            TCPConnection)
         proxy_type = config.safeGet(
             'bitmessagesettings', 'socksproxytype')
         # A plugins may be added here
@@ -252,6 +256,9 @@ def loop(self):  # pylint: disable=too-many-branches,too-many-statements
         ):
             acceptConnections = False
 
+        from .tcp import (
+            Socks4aBMConnection, Socks5BMConnection, TCPConnection)
+
         # pylint: disable=too-many-nested-blocks
         if spawnConnections:
             if not knownnodes.knownNodesActual:
@@ -401,4 +408,4 @@ def loop(self):  # pylint: disable=too-many-branches,too-many-statements
             self.removeConnection(i)
 
 
-pool = BMConnectionPool()
+pool = None
diff --git a/src/network/downloadthread.py b/src/network/downloadthread.py
index 7c8bccb69..f8ca4e53c 100644
--- a/src/network/downloadthread.py
+++ b/src/network/downloadthread.py
@@ -6,10 +6,10 @@
 import state
 import addresses
 import protocol
-import connectionpool
+from . import connectionpool
 from network import dandelion_ins
-from objectracker import missingObjects
-from threads import StoppableThread
+from .objectracker import missingObjects
+from .threads import StoppableThread
 
 
 class DownloadThread(StoppableThread):
diff --git a/src/network/http.py b/src/network/http.py
index d7a938fab..8a49e760c 100644
--- a/src/network/http.py
+++ b/src/network/http.py
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 import socket
 
-from advanceddispatcher import AdvancedDispatcher
-import asyncore_pollchoose as asyncore
-from proxy import ProxyError
-from socks5 import Socks5Connection, Socks5Resolver
-from socks4a import Socks4aConnection, Socks4aResolver
+from .advanceddispatcher import AdvancedDispatcher
+from . import asyncore_pollchoose as asyncore
+from .proxy import ProxyError
+from .socks5 import Socks5Connection, Socks5Resolver
+from .socks4a import Socks4aConnection, Socks4aResolver
 
 
 class HttpError(ProxyError):
diff --git a/src/network/httpd.py b/src/network/httpd.py
index b69ffa990..654566c28 100644
--- a/src/network/httpd.py
+++ b/src/network/httpd.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 import asyncore
 import socket
 
-from tls import TLSHandshake
+from .tls import TLSHandshake
 
 
 class HTTPRequestHandler(asyncore.dispatcher):
diff --git a/src/network/https.py b/src/network/https.py
index a7b8b57ce..93068bf67 100644
--- a/src/network/https.py
+++ b/src/network/https.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import asyncore
 
-from http import HTTPClient
-from tls import TLSHandshake
+from .http import HTTPClient
+from .tls import TLSHandshake
 
 """
 self.sslSock = ssl.wrap_socket(
diff --git a/src/network/invthread.py b/src/network/invthread.py
index 503eefa16..14508422d 100644
--- a/src/network/invthread.py
+++ b/src/network/invthread.py
@@ -1,16 +1,17 @@
 """
 Thread to send inv annoucements
 """
-import Queue
 import random
 from time import time
 
+from six.moves import queue
+
 import addresses
 import protocol
 import state
-import connectionpool
+from . import connectionpool
 from network import dandelion_ins, invQueue
-from threads import StoppableThread
+from .threads import StoppableThread
 
 
 def handleExpiredDandelion(expired):
@@ -58,7 +59,7 @@ def run(self):  # pylint: disable=too-many-branches
                     # locally generated
                     if len(data) == 2 or data[2] is None:
                         self.handleLocallyGenerated(data[0], data[1])
-                except Queue.Empty:
+                except queue.Empty:
                     break
 
             if chunk:
diff --git a/src/network/networkthread.py b/src/network/networkthread.py
index 640d47a1f..510cd7fa6 100644
--- a/src/network/networkthread.py
+++ b/src/network/networkthread.py
@@ -2,9 +2,9 @@
 A thread to handle network concerns
 """
 import network.asyncore_pollchoose as asyncore
-import connectionpool
+from . import connectionpool
 from queues import excQueue
-from threads import StoppableThread
+from .threads import StoppableThread
 
 
 class BMNetworkThread(StoppableThread):
diff --git a/src/network/objectracker.py b/src/network/objectracker.py
index 91bb0552a..d40ebd309 100644
--- a/src/network/objectracker.py
+++ b/src/network/objectracker.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 import time
 from threading import RLock
 
-import connectionpool
+from . import connectionpool
 from network import dandelion_ins
 from randomtrackingdict import RandomTrackingDict
 
diff --git a/src/network/proxy.py b/src/network/proxy.py
index ed1af127b..92734ee1e 100644
--- a/src/network/proxy.py
+++ b/src/network/proxy.py
@@ -6,10 +6,10 @@
 import socket
 import time
 
-import asyncore_pollchoose as asyncore
-from advanceddispatcher import AdvancedDispatcher
+from . import asyncore_pollchoose as asyncore
+from .advanceddispatcher import AdvancedDispatcher
 from bmconfigparser import config
-from node import Peer
+from .node import Peer
 
 logger = logging.getLogger('default')
 
diff --git a/src/network/receivequeuethread.py b/src/network/receivequeuethread.py
index 88d3b740c..bd642d9fb 100644
--- a/src/network/receivequeuethread.py
+++ b/src/network/receivequeuethread.py
@@ -2,13 +2,14 @@
 Process data incoming from network
 """
 import errno
-import Queue
 import socket
 
-import connectionpool
+from six.moves import queue
+
+from . import connectionpool
 from network.advanceddispatcher import UnknownStateError
 from network import receiveDataQueue
-from threads import StoppableThread
+from .threads import StoppableThread
 
 
 class ReceiveQueueThread(StoppableThread):
@@ -21,7 +22,7 @@ def run(self):
         while not self._stopped:
             try:
                 dest = receiveDataQueue.get(block=True, timeout=1)
-            except Queue.Empty:
+            except queue.Empty:
                 continue
 
             if self._stopped:
diff --git a/src/network/socks4a.py b/src/network/socks4a.py
index e97861684..2758838a2 100644
--- a/src/network/socks4a.py
+++ b/src/network/socks4a.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 import socket
 import struct
 
-from proxy import GeneralProxyError, Proxy, ProxyError
+from .proxy import GeneralProxyError, Proxy, ProxyError
 
 logger = logging.getLogger('default')
 
diff --git a/src/network/socks5.py b/src/network/socks5.py
index d1daae422..1838a737f 100644
--- a/src/network/socks5.py
+++ b/src/network/socks5.py
@@ -7,8 +7,8 @@
 import socket
 import struct
 
-from node import Peer
-from proxy import GeneralProxyError, Proxy, ProxyError
+from .node import Peer
+from .proxy import GeneralProxyError, Proxy, ProxyError
 
 logger = logging.getLogger('default')
 
diff --git a/src/network/stats.py b/src/network/stats.py
index 0ab1ae0fd..398644a3b 100644
--- a/src/network/stats.py
+++ b/src/network/stats.py
@@ -3,9 +3,9 @@
 """
 import time
 
-import asyncore_pollchoose as asyncore
-import connectionpool
-from objectracker import missingObjects
+from . import asyncore_pollchoose as asyncore
+from . import connectionpool
+from .objectracker import missingObjects
 
 
 lastReceivedTimestamp = time.time()
@@ -18,6 +18,8 @@
 
 def connectedHostsList():
     """List of all the connected hosts"""
+    if connectionpool.pool is None:
+        return []
     return connectionpool.pool.establishedConnections()
 
 
diff --git a/src/network/tcp.py b/src/network/tcp.py
index e8df5b728..db9c91126 100644
--- a/src/network/tcp.py
+++ b/src/network/tcp.py
@@ -14,22 +14,22 @@
 import l10n
 import protocol
 import state
-import connectionpool
+from . import connectionpool
 from bmconfigparser import config
 from highlevelcrypto import randomBytes
 from network import dandelion_ins, invQueue, receiveDataQueue
 from queues import UISignalQueue
 from tr import _translate
 
-import asyncore_pollchoose as asyncore
-import knownnodes
+from . import asyncore_pollchoose as asyncore
+from . import knownnodes
 from network.advanceddispatcher import AdvancedDispatcher
 from network.bmproto import BMProto
 from network.objectracker import ObjectTracker
 from network.socks4a import Socks4aConnection
 from network.socks5 import Socks5Connection
 from network.tls import TLSDispatcher
-from node import Peer
+from .node import Peer
 
 
 logger = logging.getLogger('default')
diff --git a/src/network/udp.py b/src/network/udp.py
index 30643d40c..4a5df79b6 100644
--- a/src/network/udp.py
+++ b/src/network/udp.py
@@ -8,12 +8,12 @@
 # magic imports!
 import protocol
 import state
-import connectionpool
+from . import connectionpool
 
 from network import receiveDataQueue
-from bmproto import BMProto
-from node import Peer
-from objectracker import ObjectTracker
+from .bmproto import BMProto
+from .node import Peer
+from .objectracker import ObjectTracker
 
 
 logger = logging.getLogger('default')
diff --git a/src/network/uploadthread.py b/src/network/uploadthread.py
index 602098328..6d23dcec8 100644
--- a/src/network/uploadthread.py
+++ b/src/network/uploadthread.py
@@ -6,10 +6,10 @@
 import random
 import protocol
 import state
-import connectionpool
+from . import connectionpool
 from randomtrackingdict import RandomTrackingDict
 from network import dandelion_ins
-from threads import StoppableThread
+from .threads import StoppableThread
 
 
 class UploadThread(StoppableThread):
diff --git a/src/tests/test_network.py b/src/tests/test_network.py
index 206117e03..0c9b2ee2d 100644
--- a/src/tests/test_network.py
+++ b/src/tests/test_network.py
@@ -27,11 +27,13 @@ def setUpClass(cls):
 
         # beware of singleton
         connectionpool.config = cls.config
-        cls.pool = connectionpool.pool
         cls.stats = stats
 
         network.start(cls.config, cls.state)
 
+        # pool is created inside network.start(), read it after
+        cls.pool = connectionpool.pool
+
     def test_threads(self):
         """Ensure all the network threads started"""
         threads = {