diff --git a/src/pymod/distutils_src/klayout/lay/__init__.py b/src/pymod/distutils_src/klayout/lay/__init__.py
index 3f8edad9e..e744d3dea 100644
--- a/src/pymod/distutils_src/klayout/lay/__init__.py
+++ b/src/pymod/distutils_src/klayout/lay/__init__.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import klayout.dbcore  # enables stream reader plugins
 import klayout.laycore
 
 from klayout.laycore import *