diff --git a/tnc/daemon.py b/tnc/daemon.py
index b7b80811..6f7fe867 100755
--- a/tnc/daemon.py
+++ b/tnc/daemon.py
@@ -320,9 +320,11 @@ class DAEMON:
 
                     # check how we want to control the radio
                     if radiocontrol == "direct":
-                        import rig
+                        print("direct hamlib support deprecated - not usable anymore")
+                        sys.exit(1)
                     elif radiocontrol == "rigctl":
-                        import rigctl as rig
+                        print("rigctl support deprecated - not usable anymore")
+                        sys.exit(1)
                     elif radiocontrol == "rigctld":
                         import rigctld as rig
                     else:
diff --git a/tnc/modem.py b/tnc/modem.py
index ce1e9535..d032691d 100644
--- a/tnc/modem.py
+++ b/tnc/modem.py
@@ -199,9 +199,11 @@ class RF:
         # Check how we want to control the radio
         # TODO: deprecated feature - we can remove this possibly
         if static.HAMLIB_RADIOCONTROL == "direct":
-            import rig
+            print("direct hamlib support deprecated - not usable anymore")
+            sys.exit(1)
         elif static.HAMLIB_RADIOCONTROL == "rigctl":
-            import rigctl as rig
+            print("rigctl support deprecated - not usable anymore")
+            sys.exit(1)
         elif static.HAMLIB_RADIOCONTROL == "rigctld":
             import rigctld as rig
         else: