diff --git a/CHANGELOG.rst b/CHANGELOG.rst
index a37f898b..5b473d88 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.rst
+++ b/CHANGELOG.rst
@@ -16,6 +16,14 @@ Unreleased
 
 *
 
+0.17.1 - 2025-11-14
+********************
+
+Fixed
+=====
+
+* Avoid circular import of AuthzEnforcer.
+
 0.17.0 - 2025-11-14
 ********************
 
diff --git a/openedx_authz/__init__.py b/openedx_authz/__init__.py
index 4e10cf73..db0b2199 100644
--- a/openedx_authz/__init__.py
+++ b/openedx_authz/__init__.py
@@ -4,6 +4,6 @@
 
 import os
 
-__version__ = "0.17.0"
+__version__ = "0.17.1"
 
 ROOT_DIRECTORY = os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__))
diff --git a/openedx_authz/engine/enforcer.py b/openedx_authz/engine/enforcer.py
index 48358622..cc76d1cb 100644
--- a/openedx_authz/engine/enforcer.py
+++ b/openedx_authz/engine/enforcer.py
@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@
 from django.conf import settings
 
 from openedx_authz.engine.adapter import ExtendedAdapter
-from openedx_authz.engine.matcher import is_admin_or_superuser_check
 
 
 def libraries_v2_enabled() -> bool:
@@ -201,6 +200,9 @@ def _initialize_enforcer(cls) -> SyncedEnforcer:
         Returns:
             SyncedEnforcer: Configured Casbin enforcer with adapter and auto-sync
         """
+        # Avoid circular import
+        from openedx_authz.engine.matcher import is_admin_or_superuser_check  # pylint: disable=import-outside-toplevel
+
         db_alias = getattr(settings, "CASBIN_DB_ALIAS", "default")
 
         try:
diff --git a/openedx_authz/tests/test_imports.py b/openedx_authz/tests/test_imports.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e22d79df
--- /dev/null
+++ b/openedx_authz/tests/test_imports.py
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+"""Test module imports."""
+import sys
+from unittest import TestCase
+
+
+class TestImports(TestCase):
+    """Test that imports work correctly."""
+
+    def setUp(self):
+        """Remove cached modules to ensure fresh imports and detect circular dependencies.
+        """
+        super().setUp()
+
+        # List of modules to remove from cache to test fresh imports
+        modules_to_clear = [
+            'openedx_authz.engine.enforcer',
+            'openedx_authz.engine.matcher',
+            'openedx_authz.engine.adapter',
+            'openedx_authz.api',
+            'openedx_authz.api.permissions',
+            'openedx_authz.api.roles',
+            'openedx_authz.api.users',
+            'openedx_authz.api.data',
+        ]
+
+        for module_name in modules_to_clear:
+            if module_name in sys.modules:
+                del sys.modules[module_name]
+
+    def test_import_authzenforcer(self):
+        """Test that AuthzEnforcer can be imported."""
+        from openedx_authz.engine.enforcer import AuthzEnforcer  # pylint: disable=import-outside-toplevel
+        try:
+            self.assertIsNotNone(AuthzEnforcer)
+        except ImportError as e:
+            self.fail(f"Failed to import AuthzEnforcer: {e}")