diff --git a/lisp/use-package/use-package.el b/lisp/use-package/use-package.el
index 736228742c8..316e37ee330 100644
--- a/lisp/use-package/use-package.el
+++ b/lisp/use-package/use-package.el
@@ -542,6 +542,7 @@ For full documentation. please see commentary.
       (when idle-body
         (setq init-body
               `(progn
+                 (require 'use-package)
                  (use-package-init-on-idle (lambda () ,idle-body))
                    ,init-body)))