diff --git a/pelican/tools/pelican_import.py b/pelican/tools/pelican_import.py
index 97df58ca..da636df5 100755
--- a/pelican/tools/pelican_import.py
+++ b/pelican/tools/pelican_import.py
@@ -739,9 +739,8 @@ def download_attachments(output_path, urls):
     return locations
 
 
-def is_pandoc_needed(fields):
-    in_markup_idx = 9
-    return filter(lambda f: f[in_markup_idx] in ('html', 'wp-html'), fields)
+def is_pandoc_needed(in_markup):
+    return in_markup in ('html', 'wp-html')
 
 
 def get_pandoc_version():
@@ -773,11 +772,6 @@ def fields2pelican(
 
     pandoc_version = get_pandoc_version()
 
-    if is_pandoc_needed(fields) and not pandoc_version:
-        error = ('Pandoc must be installed to complete the '
-                 'requested import action.')
-        exit(error)
-
     settings = read_settings()
     slug_subs = settings['SLUG_REGEX_SUBSTITUTIONS']
 
@@ -785,6 +779,11 @@ def fields2pelican(
             kind, in_markup) in fields:
         if filter_author and filter_author != author:
             continue
+        if is_pandoc_needed(in_markup) and not pandoc_version:
+            error = ('Pandoc must be installed to complete the '
+                     'requested import action.')
+            exit(error)
+
         slug = not disable_slugs and filename or None
 
         if wp_attach and attachments: