diff --git a/fabric/state.py b/fabric/state.py
index 9b2c0e9e..fe549a71 100644
--- a/fabric/state.py
+++ b/fabric/state.py
@@ -32,9 +32,9 @@ def _get_system_username():
     """
     Obtain name of current system user, which will be default connection user.
     """
-    import getpass
     username = None
     try:
+        import getpass
         username = getpass.getuser()
     # getpass.getuser supported on both Unix and Windows systems.
     # getpass.getuser may call pwd.getpwuid which in turns may raise KeyError
diff --git a/sites/www/changelog.rst b/sites/www/changelog.rst
index 334a54f3..19ed3f97 100644
--- a/sites/www/changelog.rst
+++ b/sites/www/changelog.rst
@@ -6,6 +6,9 @@ Changelog
   `~fabric.contrib.files.upload_template` when backing up the target file,
   preventing issues on simpler remote shells. Patch courtesy of Paul
   Chakravarti.
+* :bug:`983` Move a ``getpass`` import inside a Windows-oriented
+  ``try``/``except ImportError`` so password prompting is less likely to
+  explode on certain systems. Thanks to ``@dongweiming`` for the patch.
 * :support:`- backported` Update packaging metadata so wheel archives include
   the ``LICENSE`` file.
 * :release:`1.14.0 <2017-08-25>`