diff --git a/tensorflow_model_optimization/python/core/keras/compat.py b/tensorflow_model_optimization/python/core/keras/compat.py
index 034eca89..59a84f31 100644
--- a/tensorflow_model_optimization/python/core/keras/compat.py
+++ b/tensorflow_model_optimization/python/core/keras/compat.py
@@ -32,7 +32,11 @@ def _get_keras_instance():
   # Use Keras 2.
   version_fn = getattr(tf.keras, 'version', None)
   if version_fn and version_fn().startswith('3.'):
-    import tf_keras as keras_internal  # pylint: disable=g-import-not-at-top,unused-import
+    try:
+      import tf_keras as keras_internal  # pylint: disable=g-import-not-at-top
+    except ImportError:
+      # tf_keras is not installed; fall back to tf.keras (Keras 2 bundled with TF).
+      keras_internal = tf.keras
   else:
     keras_internal = tf.keras
   return keras_internal
diff --git a/tensorflow_model_optimization/python/core/keras/metrics_test.py b/tensorflow_model_optimization/python/core/keras/metrics_test.py
index b42c518f..07f29a2a 100644
--- a/tensorflow_model_optimization/python/core/keras/metrics_test.py
+++ b/tensorflow_model_optimization/python/core/keras/metrics_test.py
@@ -15,10 +15,12 @@
 """Tests for Metrics."""
 
 import mock
+import sys
 import tensorflow as tf
 
 from tensorflow.python.eager import monitoring
 from tensorflow_model_optimization.python.core.keras import metrics
+from tensorflow_model_optimization.python.core.keras import compat
 from tensorflow_model_optimization.python.core.keras.compat import keras
 
 
@@ -70,5 +72,26 @@ def test_SetTest(self):
     self.assertTrue(MetricsTest.gauge.get_cell(self.test_label).value())
 
 
+class CompatGetKerasInstanceTest(tf.test.TestCase):
+  """Tests for _get_keras_instance fallback when tf_keras is unavailable."""
+
+  def test_fallback_to_tf_keras_when_tf_keras_not_installed(self):
+    """When tf.keras reports v3 but tf_keras is missing, fall back to tf.keras."""
+    original_modules = dict(sys.modules)
+    # Remove tf_keras from sys.modules so the import inside the function fails.
+    sys.modules.pop('tf_keras', None)
+    try:
+      with mock.patch.object(tf.keras, 'version', return_value='3.0.0',
+                             create=True):
+        with mock.patch.dict(sys.modules, {'tf_keras': None}):
+          result = compat._get_keras_instance()
+          self.assertIs(result, tf.keras)
+    finally:
+      # Restore original sys.modules state.
+      for key in list(sys.modules):
+        if key not in original_modules:
+          del sys.modules[key]
+
+
 if __name__ == '__main__':
   tf.test.main()