diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 1ae2ec34..f6d9a29b 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -42,7 +42,11 @@ Install the Python 3 dependencies from Pypi:
 
     pip3 install --user --upgrade \
         Pillow aiofiles appdirs dataclasses filetype hsluv html_sanitizer \
-        lxml mistune uvloop
+        lxml mistune
+
+Optional dependency for performance improvements:
+
+    pip3 install --user --upgrade uvloop
 
 Install the Python 3 dependencies from Github:
 
diff --git a/TODO.md b/TODO.md
index 52eea6b1..dc326b9a 100644
--- a/TODO.md
+++ b/TODO.md
@@ -11,7 +11,6 @@
   - When qml syntax highlighting supports ES6 string interpolation, use them
 
 - Fixes
-  - Make uvloop optional
   - Backspace bug
 
   - Show error if uploading avatar fails or file is corrupted
diff --git a/src/python/app.py b/src/python/app.py
index e0726776..052e076b 100644
--- a/src/python/app.py
+++ b/src/python/app.py
@@ -6,7 +6,6 @@ from operator import attrgetter
 from threading import Thread
 from typing import Coroutine, Sequence
 
-import uvloop
 from appdirs import AppDirs
 
 from . import __about__, pyotherside
@@ -14,6 +13,15 @@ from .pyotherside_events import CoroutineDone
 
 log.getLogger().setLevel(log.INFO)
 
+try:
+    import uvloop
+except ModuleNotFoundError:
+    UVLOOP = False
+    log.info("uvloop not available, using default asyncio loop.")
+else:
+    UVLOOP = True
+    log.info("uvloop is available.")
+
 
 class App:
     def __init__(self) -> None:
@@ -51,7 +59,10 @@ class App:
 
     def _loop_starter(self) -> None:
         asyncio.set_event_loop(self.loop)
-        asyncio.set_event_loop_policy(uvloop.EventLoopPolicy())
+
+        if UVLOOP:
+            asyncio.set_event_loop_policy(uvloop.EventLoopPolicy())
+
         self.loop.run_forever()