diff --git a/lamin_cli/__main__.py b/lamin_cli/__main__.py
index 146d30d..cb169b5 100644
--- a/lamin_cli/__main__.py
+++ b/lamin_cli/__main__.py
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ def connect(instance: str):
     from lamindb_setup import settings as settings_, connect as connect_
 
     settings_.auto_connect = True
-    return connect_(slug=instance)
+    return connect_(slug=instance, _reload_lamindb=False)
 
 
 @main.command()
@@ -239,7 +239,7 @@ def load(entity: str, uid: str = None, key: str = None, with_env: bool = False):
         #     f"! please use: lamin connect {entity}"
         # )
         settings_.auto_connect = True
-        return connect(slug=entity)
+        return connect(slug=entity, _reload_lamindb=False)
     else:
         from lamin_cli._load import load as load_
 
diff --git a/lamin_cli/_load.py b/lamin_cli/_load.py
index 00a64ce..90059fc 100644
--- a/lamin_cli/_load.py
+++ b/lamin_cli/_load.py
@@ -127,8 +127,6 @@ def script_to_notebook(
         logger.important(f"{transform.type} is here: {target_relpath}")
 
         if with_env:
-            import lamindb as ln
-
             ln.settings.track_run_inputs = False
             if (
                 transform.latest_run is not None
@@ -145,8 +143,6 @@ def script_to_notebook(
 
         return target_relpath
     elif entity == "artifact":
-        import lamindb as ln
-
         ln.settings.track_run_inputs = False
 
         if query_by_uid:
diff --git a/lamin_cli/_save.py b/lamin_cli/_save.py
index 11c93ac..f21f9b8 100644
--- a/lamin_cli/_save.py
+++ b/lamin_cli/_save.py
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Union
-import lamindb_setup as ln_setup
 from lamin_utils import logger
 import re
 
@@ -47,6 +46,8 @@ def save_from_filepath_cli(
     description: str | None,
     registry: str | None,
 ) -> str | None:
+    import lamindb_setup as ln_setup
+
     if not isinstance(filepath, Path):
         filepath = Path(filepath)