diff --git a/tools/schemacode/bidsschematools/validate_schema.py b/tools/schemacode/bidsschematools/validate_schema.py
index b04c48f0d3..16abdf6f38 100644
--- a/tools/schemacode/bidsschematools/validate_schema.py
+++ b/tools/schemacode/bidsschematools/validate_schema.py
@@ -1,5 +1,10 @@
 import json
-from importlib.resources import files
+import sys
+
+if sys.version_info < (3, 9):
+    from importlib_resources import files
+else:
+    from importlib.resources import files
 
 from jsonschema import ValidationError, validate