diff --git a/telethon/client/updates.py b/telethon/client/updates.py
index 379a2af6..925b2b1b 100644
--- a/telethon/client/updates.py
+++ b/telethon/client/updates.py
@@ -9,7 +9,16 @@ import typing
 import logging
 import warnings
 from collections import deque
-import sqlite3
+
+try:
+    import sqlite3
+
+    OperationalError = sqlite3.OperationalError
+except ImportError as e:
+    sqlite3 = None
+
+    class OperationalError(Exception):
+        pass  # won't be created and thus never caught
 
 from .. import events, utils, errors
 from ..events.common import EventBuilder, EventCommon
@@ -325,7 +334,7 @@ class UpdateMethods:
                             await self.disconnect()
                             break
                         continue
-                    except (errors.TypeNotFoundError, sqlite3.OperationalError) as e:
+                    except (errors.TypeNotFoundError, OperationalError) as e:
                         # User is likely doing weird things with their account or session and Telegram gets confused as to what layer they use
                         self._log[__name__].warning('Cannot get difference since the account is likely misusing the session: %s', e)
                         self._message_box.end_difference()
@@ -368,7 +377,7 @@ class UpdateMethods:
                             await self.disconnect()
                             break
                         continue
-                    except (errors.TypeNotFoundError, sqlite3.OperationalError) as e:
+                    except (errors.TypeNotFoundError, OperationalError) as e:
                         self._log[__name__].warning(
                             'Cannot get difference for channel %s since the account is likely misusing the session: %s',
                             get_diff.channel.channel_id, e