diff --git a/lib/ansible/template/__init__.py b/lib/ansible/template/__init__.py
index 1b89f0ee2aa..b645a30c979 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/template/__init__.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/template/__init__.py
@@ -251,6 +251,7 @@ class Templar:
         instance = self._lookup_loader.get(name.lower(), loader=self._loader, templar=self)
 
         if instance is not None:
+            from ansible.utils.listify import listify_lookup_plugin_terms
             loop_terms = listify_lookup_plugin_terms(terms=args, templar=self, loader=self._loader, fail_on_undefined=True)
             # safely catch run failures per #5059
             try: