diff --git a/edx_name_affirmation/models.py b/edx_name_affirmation/models.py
index 0dc2056..9f4849b 100644
--- a/edx_name_affirmation/models.py
+++ b/edx_name_affirmation/models.py
@@ -11,6 +11,11 @@
 
 from edx_name_affirmation.statuses import VerifiedNameStatus
 
+try:
+    from lms.djangoapps.verify_student.models import SoftwareSecurePhotoVerification
+except ImportError:
+    SoftwareSecurePhotoVerification = None
+
 User = get_user_model()
 
 
@@ -47,14 +52,13 @@ class Meta:
 
     @property
     def verification_attempt_status(self):
-        if not self.verification_attempt_id:
-            return None
+        "Returns the status associated with the attempt verification_attempt_id if any."
 
-        try:
-            from lms.djangoapps.verify_student.models import SoftwareSecurePhotoVerification
-        except ImportError:
+        if not self.verification_attempt_id or not SoftwareSecurePhotoVerification:
             return None
 
+        # breakpoint()
+
         verification = SoftwareSecurePhotoVerification.objects.get(id=self.verification_attempt_id)
 
         return verification.status if verification else None
diff --git a/edx_name_affirmation/tests/test_models.py b/edx_name_affirmation/tests/test_models.py
index 043c1bf..f60c613 100644
--- a/edx_name_affirmation/tests/test_models.py
+++ b/edx_name_affirmation/tests/test_models.py
@@ -4,18 +4,13 @@
 
 from django.contrib.auth import get_user_model
 from django.test import TestCase
+from unittest.mock import patch, MagicMock
 
 from edx_name_affirmation.models import VerifiedName
 from edx_name_affirmation.statuses import VerifiedNameStatus
 
-try:
-    from lms.djangoapps.verify_student.models import SoftwareSecurePhotoVerification
-except ImportError:
-    pass
-
 User = get_user_model()
 
-
 class VerifiedNameModelTests(TestCase):
     """
     Test suite for the VerifiedName models
@@ -30,15 +25,25 @@ def setUp(self):
         )
         return super().setUp()
 
-    def test_histories(self):
+    @patch('edx_name_affirmation.models.SoftwareSecurePhotoVerification')
+    def test_histories(self, sspv_mock):
         """
         Test the model history is recording records as expected
         """
+        idv_attempt_id = 34455
+        idv_attempt_status = 'submitted'
+
+        obj = lambda dict: type('obj', (object,), dict)
+
+        sspv_mock.objects.get = lambda id : obj({ 'status': idv_attempt_status }) if id == idv_attempt_id else obj({ 'status': None })
+
         verified_name_history = self.verified_name.history.all().order_by('history_date')
         assert len(verified_name_history) == 1
-        idv_attempt_id = 34455
         self.verified_name.status = VerifiedNameStatus.APPROVED
         self.verified_name.verification_attempt_id = idv_attempt_id
+
+
+        assert self.verified_name.verification_attempt_status is idv_attempt_status
         self.verified_name.save()
         verified_name_history = self.verified_name.history.all().order_by('history_date')
         assert len(verified_name_history) == 2