diff --git a/aider/main.py b/aider/main.py
index aca80da84..28080e7f1 100644
--- a/aider/main.py
+++ b/aider/main.py
@@ -686,9 +686,7 @@ def main(argv=None, input=None, output=None, force_git_root=None, return_coder=F
     if args.exit:
         return
 
-    thread = threading.Thread(target=load_slow_imports)
-    thread.daemon = True
-    thread.start()
+    launch_slow_imports_thread()
 
     while True:
         try:
@@ -706,6 +704,12 @@ def main(argv=None, input=None, output=None, force_git_root=None, return_coder=F
                 coder.show_announcements()
 
 
+def launch_slow_imports_thread():
+    thread = threading.Thread(target=load_slow_imports)
+    thread.daemon = True
+    thread.start()
+
+
 def load_slow_imports():
     # These imports are deferred in various ways to
     # improve startup time.