diff --git a/panelizer.module b/panelizer.module
index 350b4ec..1b17680 100644
--- a/panelizer.module
+++ b/panelizer.module
@@ -832,7 +832,9 @@ function panelizer_features_export_alter(&$export, $module_name) {
         'panelizer_' . $entity_type . ':' . $bundle . '_default'
       );
 
-      $variables = array_diff($variables, array_keys(strongarm_vars_load()));
+      if (module_exists('strongarm')) {
+        $variables = array_diff($variables, array_keys(strongarm_vars_load()));
+      }
 
       foreach ($variables as $variable) {
         $export['features']['variable'][$variable] = $variable;