diff --git a/monai/utils/module.py b/monai/utils/module.py
index 6f301d8067..4d28f8d986 100644
--- a/monai/utils/module.py
+++ b/monai/utils/module.py
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
 
 import enum
 import functools
+import importlib.util
 import os
 import pdb
 import re
@@ -208,9 +209,11 @@ def load_submodules(
     ):
         if (is_pkg or load_all) and name not in sys.modules and match(exclude_pattern, name) is None:
             try:
-                mod = import_module(name)
-                importer.find_spec(name).loader.load_module(name)  # type: ignore
-                submodules.append(mod)
+                mod_spec = importer.find_spec(name)  # type: ignore
+                if mod_spec and mod_spec.loader:
+                    mod = importlib.util.module_from_spec(mod_spec)
+                    mod_spec.loader.exec_module(mod)
+                    submodules.append(mod)
             except OptionalImportError:
                 pass  # could not import the optional deps., they are ignored
             except ImportError as e: