diff --git a/.github/workflows/pr_code_changes.yaml b/.github/workflows/pr_code_changes.yaml
index 28f3fc77..6ad920a8 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/pr_code_changes.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/pr_code_changes.yaml
@@ -48,6 +48,9 @@ jobs:
       - name: Test specific core import
         run: python -c "from policyengine_core.data import Dataset; print('Core import OK')"
 
+      - name: Test Microsimulation with direct dependencies only
+        run: python -m pytest policyengine_us_data/tests/test_datasets/test_data_us_pipeline.py -v
+
   Test:
       runs-on: ubuntu-latest
       needs: Lint
diff --git a/changelog_entry.yaml b/changelog_entry.yaml
index e69de29b..0cc3ef1f 100644
--- a/changelog_entry.yaml
+++ b/changelog_entry.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+- bump: minor
+  changes:
+    changed:
+    - Added test to ensure microsimulation runs with only us-data direct dependencies.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/policyengine_us_data/datasets/cps/enhanced_cps.py b/policyengine_us_data/datasets/cps/enhanced_cps.py
index 59fed93b..08959d85 100644
--- a/policyengine_us_data/datasets/cps/enhanced_cps.py
+++ b/policyengine_us_data/datasets/cps/enhanced_cps.py
@@ -21,12 +21,6 @@
 from pathlib import Path
 
 
-try:
-    import torch
-except ImportError:
-    torch = None
-
-
 def reweight(
     original_weights,
     loss_matrix,
@@ -38,6 +32,8 @@ def reweight(
     init_mean=0.999,  # initial proportion with non-zero weights, set near 0
     temperature=0.5,  # Usual values .5 to 3, .5 was working better
 ):
+    import torch
+
     target_names = np.array(loss_matrix.columns)
     is_national = loss_matrix.columns.str.startswith("nation/")
     loss_matrix = torch.tensor(loss_matrix.values, dtype=torch.float32)
diff --git a/policyengine_us_data/tests/test_datasets/test_data_us_pipeline.py b/policyengine_us_data/tests/test_datasets/test_data_us_pipeline.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..fc3ae037
--- /dev/null
+++ b/policyengine_us_data/tests/test_datasets/test_data_us_pipeline.py
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+"""
+Tests to ensure Microsimulations can run with the us-data direct dependencies only.
+"""
+
+
+def test_microsimulation_runs():
+    from policyengine_us import Microsimulation
+    from policyengine_us_data.datasets.cps import EnhancedCPS_2024
+
+    sim = Microsimulation(dataset=EnhancedCPS_2024)
+    sim.calculate("employment_income", map_to="household", period=2025)