diff --git a/jwst/background/background_step.py b/jwst/background/background_step.py
index e31fd82033..2b16d91a8e 100755
--- a/jwst/background/background_step.py
+++ b/jwst/background/background_step.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 #! /usr/bin/env python
 
 from jwst.stpipe import Step
-from jwst import datamodels
+from .. import datamodels
 from . import background_sub
 
 class BackgroundStep(Step):
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ def process(self, input, bkg_list):
         """
 
         # Load the input data model
-        with models.open(input) as input_model:
+        with datamodels.open(input) as input_model:
 
             # Do the background subtraction
             result = background_sub.background_sub(input_model, bkg_list)
diff --git a/jwst/background/background_sub.py b/jwst/background/background_sub.py
index 2c1502f6de..c08fb80415 100755
--- a/jwst/background/background_sub.py
+++ b/jwst/background/background_sub.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 from __future__ import division
 
-from jwst import datamodels
+from .. import datamodels
 from . import subtract_images
 
 import numpy as np
@@ -71,11 +71,11 @@ def average_background(bkg_list):
     # Loop over the images to be used as background
     for bkg_file in bkg_list:
         log.debug(' Accumulate bkg from %s', bkg_file)
-        bkg_model = models.ImageModel(bkg_file)
+        bkg_model = datamodels.ImageModel(bkg_file)
 
         # Initialize the avg_bkg model, if necessary
         if avg_bkg is None:
-            avg_bkg = models.ImageModel(bkg_model.data.shape)
+            avg_bkg = datamodels.ImageModel(bkg_model.data.shape)
 
         # Accumulate the data from this background image
         avg_bkg.data += bkg_model.data
diff --git a/jwst/background/subtract_images.py b/jwst/background/subtract_images.py
index d79a480136..bf68f1081f 100644
--- a/jwst/background/subtract_images.py
+++ b/jwst/background/subtract_images.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 from __future__ import division
 
-from jwst import datamodels
+from .. import datamodels
 import numpy as np
 
 import logging
diff --git a/jwst/background/subtract_images_step.py b/jwst/background/subtract_images_step.py
index 8b083fc521..7a5cab2b92 100755
--- a/jwst/background/subtract_images_step.py
+++ b/jwst/background/subtract_images_step.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 #! /usr/bin/env python
 
 from jwst.stpipe import Step
-from jwst import datamodels
+from .. import datamodels
 from jwst.background import subtract_images
 
 class SubtractImagesStep(Step):
@@ -36,25 +36,25 @@ def process(self, input1, input2):
         """
 
         # First, determine what kind of input model has been provided
-        model1 = models.open(input1)
+        model1 = datamodels.open(input1)
 
-        if isinstance(model1, models.CubeModel):
+        if isinstance(model1, datamodels.CubeModel):
             self.log.debug('Input is a CubeModel')
             model1.close()
-            model1 = models.CubeModel(input1)
-        elif isinstance(model1, models.ImageModel):
+            model1 = datamodels.CubeModel(input1)
+        elif isinstance(model1, datamodels.ImageModel):
             self.log.debug('Input is an ImageModel')
             model1.close()
-            model1 = models.ImageModel(input1)
-        elif isinstance(model1, models.DataModel):
+            model1 = datamodels.ImageModel(input1)
+        elif isinstance(model1, datamodels.DataModel):
             self.log.debug('Input is a MultiSlitModel')
             model1.close()
-            model1 = models.MultiSlitModel(input1)
+            model1 = datamodels.MultiSlitModel(input1)
 
         # Assume that the second input model is always Image or MultiSlit with
         # a single image, which is safe to open as MultiSlit for either case
-        #model2 = models.MultiSlitModel(input2)
-        model2 = models.ImageModel(input2)
+        #model2 = datamodels.MultiSlitModel(input2)
+        model2 = datamodels.ImageModel(input2)
 
         # Call the subtraction routine
         result = subtract_images.subtract(model1, model2)