diff --git a/src/vocalinux/main.py b/src/vocalinux/main.py
index 0bb28cf..bac6be3 100644
--- a/src/vocalinux/main.py
+++ b/src/vocalinux/main.py
@@ -103,14 +103,9 @@ def check_dependencies():
                 "AppIndicator3/AyatanaAppIndicator3 - Required for system tray icon"
             )
 
-    # pynput is used for keyboard detection but we check at module startup
-    # requests is used by various components
-    # These are intentional checks to provide user-friendly error messages
-    try:
-        import pynput  # noqa: F401
-    except ImportError:
-        missing_python_deps.append("pynput (install with: pip install pynput)")
-
+    # Keyboard backends are optional and checked lazily by the shortcut manager.
+    # Importing pynput can fail on Wayland/X-less sessions even when installed.
+    # requests is used by various components and should remain a required check.
     try:
         import requests  # noqa: F401
     except ImportError:
diff --git a/src/vocalinux/ui/keyboard_backends/__init__.py b/src/vocalinux/ui/keyboard_backends/__init__.py
index 9b11f2e..5491955 100644
--- a/src/vocalinux/ui/keyboard_backends/__init__.py
+++ b/src/vocalinux/ui/keyboard_backends/__init__.py
@@ -26,17 +26,13 @@ logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 # Import available backends
 try:
-    from .evdev_backend import EvdevKeyboardBackend
-
-    EVDEV_AVAILABLE = True
+    from .evdev_backend import EVDEV_AVAILABLE, EvdevKeyboardBackend
 except ImportError:
     EvdevKeyboardBackend = None  # type: ignore
     EVDEV_AVAILABLE = False
 
 try:
-    from .pynput_backend import PynputKeyboardBackend
-
-    PYNPUT_AVAILABLE = True
+    from .pynput_backend import PYNPUT_AVAILABLE, PynputKeyboardBackend
 except ImportError:
     PynputKeyboardBackend = None  # type: ignore
     PYNPUT_AVAILABLE = False
diff --git a/tests/test_keyboard_init_ext.py b/tests/test_keyboard_init_ext.py
index 7dbf0d3..1d180e9 100644
--- a/tests/test_keyboard_init_ext.py
+++ b/tests/test_keyboard_init_ext.py
@@ -22,11 +22,20 @@ from vocalinux.ui.keyboard_backends import (
     DesktopEnvironment,
     create_backend,
 )
+from vocalinux.ui.keyboard_backends.evdev_backend import EVDEV_AVAILABLE as EVDEV_BACKEND_AVAILABLE
+from vocalinux.ui.keyboard_backends.pynput_backend import (
+    PYNPUT_AVAILABLE as PYNPUT_BACKEND_AVAILABLE,
+)
 
 
 class TestDesktopEnvironmentDetect:
     """Test DesktopEnvironment.detect() method."""
 
+    def test_package_availability_flags_match_backend_modules(self):
+        """Test package-level availability flags mirror backend import checks."""
+        assert EVDEV_AVAILABLE == EVDEV_BACKEND_AVAILABLE
+        assert PYNPUT_AVAILABLE == PYNPUT_BACKEND_AVAILABLE
+
     def test_detect_xdg_session_type_wayland(self):
         """Test detection of Wayland via XDG_SESSION_TYPE."""
         with patch.dict(os.environ, {"XDG_SESSION_TYPE": "wayland"}, clear=False):
diff --git a/tests/test_main.py b/tests/test_main.py
index 25e1017..2986ce8 100644
--- a/tests/test_main.py
+++ b/tests/test_main.py
@@ -447,6 +447,25 @@ class TestCheckDependencies(unittest.TestCase):
             result = check_dependencies()
             self.assertTrue(result)
 
+    def test_check_dependencies_does_not_require_pynput(self):
+        """Test startup is allowed when the optional pynput backend is unavailable."""
+        mock_gi = MagicMock()
+        mock_gi.require_version = MagicMock()
+        mock_gtk = MagicMock()
+        mock_appindicator = MagicMock()
+        mock_requests = MagicMock()
+
+        with patch.dict(
+            "sys.modules",
+            {
+                "gi": mock_gi,
+                "gi.repository": MagicMock(Gtk=mock_gtk, AppIndicator3=mock_appindicator),
+                "requests": mock_requests,
+            },
+        ):
+            result = check_dependencies()
+            self.assertTrue(result)
+
     def test_check_dependencies_missing_gtk(self):
         """Test when GTK is missing."""