diff --git a/sanic_ext/extras/validation/clean.py b/sanic_ext/extras/validation/clean.py
index 0dfcd22..e62a0e8 100644
--- a/sanic_ext/extras/validation/clean.py
+++ b/sanic_ext/extras/validation/clean.py
@@ -1,13 +1,17 @@
 from typing import Any, Optional, Type, get_origin, get_type_hints
 
-import pydantic
+
+try:
+    import pydantic
+except ImportError:
+    pydantic = None
 
 
 def clean_data(
     model: type[object],
     data: dict[str, Any],
 ) -> dict[str, Any]:
-    if isinstance(model, pydantic.BaseModel):
+    if pydantic and isinstance(model, pydantic.BaseModel):
         hints: dict[str, type] = {}
         for key, field in model.__annotations__.items():
             hints[key] = field.annotation