diff --git a/bookwyrm/models/import_job.py b/bookwyrm/models/import_job.py
index d8cfad314..b009048d9 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/models/import_job.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/models/import_job.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ from bookwyrm.models import (
     Review,
     ReviewRating,
 )
-from bookwyrm.tasks import app, LOW
+from bookwyrm.tasks import app, LOW, IMPORTS
 from .fields import PrivacyLevels
 
 
@@ -328,7 +328,7 @@ class ImportItem(models.Model):
         )
 
 
-@app.task(queue=LOW)
+@app.task(queue=IMPORTS)
 def start_import_task(job_id):
     """trigger the child tasks for each row"""
     job = ImportJob.objects.get(id=job_id)
@@ -345,7 +345,7 @@ def start_import_task(job_id):
     job.save()
 
 
-@app.task(queue=LOW)
+@app.task(queue=IMPORTS)
 def import_item_task(item_id):
     """resolve a row into a book"""
     item = ImportItem.objects.get(id=item_id)
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tasks.py b/bookwyrm/tasks.py
index 09e1d267e..ec018e179 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tasks.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tasks.py
@@ -14,3 +14,5 @@ app = Celery(
 LOW = "low_priority"
 MEDIUM = "medium_priority"
 HIGH = "high_priority"
+# import items get their own queue because they're such a pain in the ass
+IMPORTS = "imports"
diff --git a/docker-compose.yml b/docker-compose.yml
index 59d4137d2..e98128544 100644
--- a/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/docker-compose.yml
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ services:
     build: .
     networks:
       - main
-    command: celery -A celerywyrm worker -l info -Q high_priority,medium_priority,low_priority
+    command: celery -A celerywyrm worker -l info -Q high_priority,medium_priority,low_priority,imports
     volumes:
       - .:/app
       - static_volume:/app/static