diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index e8a0ae84..1f5bcde4 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -113,6 +113,7 @@ It includes many new rules, including all new techniques introduced in MITRE ATT
 - build: use Python 3.8 for PyInstaller to support consistently running across multiple operating systems including Windows 7 #505 @mr-tz
 - main: correctly match BB-scope matches at file scope #605 @williballenthin
 - explorer: add support for function-name feature #618 @mike-hunhoff
+- explorer: circular import workaround #654 @mike-hunhoff
 
 ### Changes
 
diff --git a/capa/ida/plugin/__init__.py b/capa/ida/plugin/__init__.py
index f262f486..2738a97e 100644
--- a/capa/ida/plugin/__init__.py
+++ b/capa/ida/plugin/__init__.py
@@ -11,7 +11,6 @@ import logging
 import idaapi
 import ida_kernwin
 
-from capa.ida.helpers import is_supported_file_type, is_supported_ida_version
 from capa.ida.plugin.form import CapaExplorerForm
 from capa.ida.plugin.icon import ICON
 
@@ -41,10 +40,12 @@ class CapaExplorerPlugin(idaapi.plugin_t):
         """called when IDA is loading the plugin"""
         logging.basicConfig(level=logging.INFO)
 
+        import capa.ida.helpers
+
         # do not load plugin if IDA version/file type not supported
-        if not is_supported_ida_version():
+        if not capa.ida.helpers.is_supported_ida_version():
             return idaapi.PLUGIN_SKIP
-        if not is_supported_file_type():
+        if not capa.ida.helpers.is_supported_file_type():
             return idaapi.PLUGIN_SKIP
         return idaapi.PLUGIN_OK