diff --git a/pykick/imagereaders.py b/pykick/imagereaders.py
index 0a77967..8ac0f2a 100644
--- a/pykick/imagereaders.py
+++ b/pykick/imagereaders.py
@@ -2,7 +2,10 @@ from __future__ import division
 
 import numpy as np
 import cv2
-from naoqi import ALProxy
+try:
+    from naoqi import ALProxy
+except:
+    ALProxy = None
 
 
 class NaoImageReader(object):
diff --git a/pykick/utils.py b/pykick/utils.py
index 1309631..0da75a9 100644
--- a/pykick/utils.py
+++ b/pykick/utils.py
@@ -1,7 +1,11 @@
+import os
 import json
 
 
-def read_config():
-    with open('nao_defaults.json') as f:
+HERE = os.path.dirname(os.path.realpath(__file__))
+
+
+def read_config(cfg_file=os.path.join(HERE, 'nao_defaults.json')):
+    with open(cfg_file) as f:
         cfg = json.load(f)
     return cfg