diff --git a/system/service.py b/system/service.py
index 46cd3dba569..108427bb954 100644
--- a/system/service.py
+++ b/system/service.py
@@ -106,7 +106,9 @@ import select
 import time
 import string
 
-from distutils.version import LooseVersion
+# The distutils module is not shipped with SUNWPython on Solaris.
+if platform.system() != 'SunOS':
+    from distutils.version import LooseVersion
 
 class Service(object):
     """