diff --git a/dpctl/__init__.py b/dpctl/__init__.py
index b7f85cea99..0eb474602b 100644
--- a/dpctl/__init__.py
+++ b/dpctl/__init__.py
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@
 import os
 import os.path
 
+from . import _init_helper
 from ._device_selection import select_device_with_aspects
 from ._sycl_context import SyclContext, SyclContextCreationError
 from ._sycl_device import (
@@ -137,3 +138,4 @@ def get_include():
 
 __version__ = get_versions()["version"]
 del get_versions
+del _init_helper
diff --git a/dpctl/_init_helper.py b/dpctl/_init_helper.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..8ced7eee41
--- /dev/null
+++ b/dpctl/_init_helper.py
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+#                      Data Parallel Control (dpctl)
+#
+# Copyright 2020-2024 Intel Corporation
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+
+import os
+import os.path
+import sys
+
+is_venv_win32 = (
+    sys.platform == "win32"
+    and sys.base_exec_prefix != sys.exec_prefix
+    and os.path.isfile(os.path.join(sys.exec_prefix, "pyvenv.cfg"))
+)
+
+if is_venv_win32:
+    # For virtual environments on Windows, add folder
+    # with DPC++ libraries to the DLL search path gh-1745
+    dll_dir = os.path.join(sys.exec_prefix, "Library", "bin")
+    if os.path.isdir(dll_dir):
+        os.add_dll_directory(dll_dir)
+
+del is_venv_win32