diff --git a/src/lerobot/utils/import_utils.py b/src/lerobot/utils/import_utils.py
index 0dd9db516..3a01aee88 100644
--- a/src/lerobot/utils/import_utils.py
+++ b/src/lerobot/utils/import_utils.py
@@ -14,8 +14,8 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 import importlib
+import importlib.metadata
 import logging
-import pkgutil
 from typing import Any
 
 from draccus.choice_types import ChoiceRegistry
@@ -132,24 +132,30 @@ def make_device_from_device_class(config: ChoiceRegistry) -> Any:
 
 def register_third_party_plugins() -> None:
     """
-    Discover and import third-party lerobot_* plugins so they can register themselves.
+    Discover and import third-party LeRobot plugins so they can register themselves.
 
-    Scans top-level modules on sys.path for packages starting with
-    'lerobot_robot_', 'lerobot_camera_', 'lerobot_teleoperator_' or 'lerobot_policy_' and imports them.
+    This function uses `importlib.metadata` to find packages installed in the environment
+    (including editable installs) starting with 'lerobot_robot_', 'lerobot_camera_',
+    'lerobot_teleoperator_', or 'lerobot_policy_' and imports them.
     """
     prefixes = ("lerobot_robot_", "lerobot_camera_", "lerobot_teleoperator_", "lerobot_policy_")
     imported: list[str] = []
     failed: list[str] = []
 
-    for module_info in pkgutil.iter_modules():
-        name = module_info.name
-        if name.startswith(prefixes):
-            try:
-                importlib.import_module(name)
-                imported.append(name)
-                logging.info("Imported third-party plugin: %s", name)
-            except Exception:
-                logging.exception("Could not import third-party plugin: %s", name)
-                failed.append(name)
+    def attempt_import(module_name: str):
+        try:
+            importlib.import_module(module_name)
+            imported.append(module_name)
+            logging.info("Imported third-party plugin: %s", module_name)
+        except Exception:
+            logging.exception("Could not import third-party plugin: %s", module_name)
+            failed.append(module_name)
+
+    for dist in importlib.metadata.distributions():
+        dist_name = dist.metadata.get("Name")
+        if not dist_name:
+            continue
+        if dist_name.startswith(prefixes):
+            attempt_import(dist_name)
 
     logging.debug("Third-party plugin import summary: imported=%s failed=%s", imported, failed)