diff --git a/gffutils/feature.py b/gffutils/feature.py
index 6db720ff..562e2d4c 100644
--- a/gffutils/feature.py
+++ b/gffutils/feature.py
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 from pyfaidx import Fasta
-import simplejson as json
+import json
 from gffutils import constants
 from gffutils import helpers
 from gffutils import parser
diff --git a/gffutils/helpers.py b/gffutils/helpers.py
index 234994db..2ab1d7a5 100644
--- a/gffutils/helpers.py
+++ b/gffutils/helpers.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import copy
 import sys
 import os
-import simplejson as json
+import json
 import time
 import tempfile
 from gffutils import constants
diff --git a/requirements.txt b/requirements.txt
index 3defc967..3da21da4 100644
--- a/requirements.txt
+++ b/requirements.txt
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
 pyfaidx>=0.5.5.2
 argh>=0.26.2
 argcomplete>=1.9.4
-simplejson