diff --git a/.travis.yml b/.travis.yml
index a9e5993..ec970c8 100644
--- a/.travis.yml
+++ b/.travis.yml
@@ -5,7 +5,14 @@ python:
   - "3.3"
   - "3.4"
   - "pypy"
-install: pip install -e .
+env:
+  matrix:
+    - ZENCODER_PY_JSON_MODULE=simplejson
+    - ZENCODER_PY_JSON_MODULE=json
+
+install:
+  - pip install simplejson
+  - pip install -e .
 # command to run tests
 script: nosetests
 
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index f057bd4..7828060 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -28,6 +28,10 @@ client = Zencoder('API_KEY')
 client = Zencoder()
 ```
 
+#### Configuring the JSON Module
+
+By default, zencoder-py uses the built-in `json` module, but you can optionally configure it to use `simplejson` by setting the `ZENCODER_PY_JSON_MODULE` environment variable to `simplejson`. Note that zencoder-py will not install either module, it must already be installed.
+
 ## [Jobs](https://app.zencoder.com/docs/api/jobs)
 
 Create a [new job](https://app.zencoder.com/docs/api/jobs/create).
diff --git a/zencoder/core.py b/zencoder/core.py
index 1220446..521087e 100644
--- a/zencoder/core.py
+++ b/zencoder/core.py
@@ -2,21 +2,13 @@
 import requests
 from datetime import datetime
 
-# Note: I've seen this pattern for dealing with json in different versions of
-# python in a lot of modules -- if there's a better way, I'd love to use it.
-try:
-    # python 2.6 and greater
-    import json
-except ImportError:
-    try:
-        # python 2.5
-        import simplejson
-        json = simplejson
-    except ImportError:
-        # if we're in django or Google AppEngine land
-        # use this as a last resort
-        from django.utils import simplejson
-        json = simplejson
+json_module = os.environ.get('ZENCODER_PY_JSON_MODULE', 'json')
+valid_json_modules = ('json', 'simplejson')
+if json_module not in valid_json_modules:
+    msg = 'ZENCODER_PY_JSON_MODULE=%s is not supported. Supported JSON modules: %s' % (json_module, ', '.join(valid_json_modules))
+    raise RuntimeError(msg)
+
+json = __import__(json_module)
 
 __version__ = '0.6.5'