diff --git a/fastplotlib/__init__.py b/fastplotlib/__init__.py
index a85de93c2..3cee71b28 100644
--- a/fastplotlib/__init__.py
+++ b/fastplotlib/__init__.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 from pathlib import Path
 
-from .utils.gui import run  # noqa
+# this must be the first import for auto-canvas detection
+from .utils import run  # noqa
 from .graphics import *
 from .graphics.selectors import *
 from .graphics.utils import pause_events
diff --git a/fastplotlib/utils/__init__.py b/fastplotlib/utils/__init__.py
index 3ae83fb6b..276397e88 100644
--- a/fastplotlib/utils/__init__.py
+++ b/fastplotlib/utils/__init__.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 from dataclasses import dataclass
 
-
+# this MUST be imported as early as possible in fpl.__init__ before any other wgpu stuff
+from .gui import run
 from .functions import *
 from .gpu import enumerate_adapters, select_adapter, print_wgpu_report
 from ._plot_helpers import *