diff --git a/pcbnew/python/scripting/pcbnew_scripting_helpers.cpp b/pcbnew/python/scripting/pcbnew_scripting_helpers.cpp
index 8cab51a955..16a8fff4a7 100644
--- a/pcbnew/python/scripting/pcbnew_scripting_helpers.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/python/scripting/pcbnew_scripting_helpers.cpp
@@ -359,7 +359,7 @@ bool ExportSpecctraDSN( BOARD* aBoard, wxString& aFullFilename )
 {
     try
     {
-        ExportBoardToSpecctraFile( aBoard, aFullFilename );
+        DSN::ExportBoardToSpecctraFile( aBoard, aFullFilename );
     }
     catch( ... )
     {
@@ -399,6 +399,20 @@ bool ImportSpecctraSES( wxString& aFullFilename )
     }
 }
 
+bool ImportSpecctraSES( BOARD* aBoard, wxString& aFullFilename )
+{
+    try
+    {
+        DSN::ImportSpecctraSession( aBoard, aFullFilename );
+    }
+    catch( ... )
+    {
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    return true;
+}
+
 
 bool ExportFootprintsToLibrary( bool aStoreInNewLib, const wxString& aLibName, wxString* aLibPath )
 {
diff --git a/pcbnew/python/scripting/pcbnew_scripting_helpers.h b/pcbnew/python/scripting/pcbnew_scripting_helpers.h
index fc02055c97..92fe4d7817 100644
--- a/pcbnew/python/scripting/pcbnew_scripting_helpers.h
+++ b/pcbnew/python/scripting/pcbnew_scripting_helpers.h
@@ -137,6 +137,17 @@ bool ExportVRML( const wxString& aFullFileName, double aMMtoWRMLunit, bool aExpo
  */
 bool ImportSpecctraSES( wxString& aFullFilename );
 
+/**
+ * Import a specctra *.ses file and use it to relocate MODULEs and to replace all vias and
+ * Unlike first overload doesn't need a valid PCB_EDIT_FRAME set and can be used
+ * in a standalone python script.
+ *
+ * See http://www.autotraxeda.com/docs/SPECCTRA/SPECCTRA.pdf for the specification.
+ *
+ * @return true if OK
+ */
+bool ImportSpecctraSES( BOARD* aBoard, wxString& aFullFilename );
+
 /**
  * Save footprints in a library:
  *
diff --git a/pcbnew/specctra_import_export/specctra.h b/pcbnew/specctra_import_export/specctra.h
index f15ff3298c..69bf8307f5 100644
--- a/pcbnew/specctra_import_export/specctra.h
+++ b/pcbnew/specctra_import_export/specctra.h
@@ -48,15 +48,6 @@ class SHAPE_POLY_SET;
 typedef DSN::T  DSN_T;
 
 
-/**
- * @brief Helper method to export board to DSN file
- *
- * @param aBoard board object
- * @param aFullFilename specctra file name
- */
-void ExportBoardToSpecctraFile( BOARD* aBoard, const wxString& aFullFilename );
-
-
 /**
  * This source file implements export and import capabilities to the
  * specctra dsn file format.  The grammar for that file format is documented
@@ -85,6 +76,14 @@ namespace DSN {
 class SPECCTRA_DB;
 
 
+/**
+ * @brief Helper method to export board to DSN file
+ * @param aBoard board object
+ * @param aFullFilename specctra file name
+ */
+void ExportBoardToSpecctraFile( BOARD* aBoard, const wxString& aFullFilename );
+
+
 /**
  * The DSN namespace and returns the C string representing a SPECCTRA_DB::keyword.
  *
@@ -4003,6 +4002,14 @@ private:
     int               m_bot_via_layer;
 };
 
+/**
+ * @brief Helper method to import SES file to a board
+ *
+ * @param aBoard board object
+ * @param aFullFilename specctra file name
+ */
+
+bool ImportSpecctraSession( BOARD* aBoard, const wxString& fullFileName );
 
 }           // namespace DSN
 
diff --git a/pcbnew/specctra_import_export/specctra_export.cpp b/pcbnew/specctra_import_export/specctra_export.cpp
index 7b81499564..763ff03e39 100644
--- a/pcbnew/specctra_import_export/specctra_export.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/specctra_import_export/specctra_export.cpp
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ bool PCB_EDIT_FRAME::ExportSpecctraFile( const wxString& aFullFilename )
 
     try
     {
-        ExportBoardToSpecctraFile( GetBoard(), aFullFilename );
+        DSN::ExportBoardToSpecctraFile( GetBoard(), aFullFilename );
     }
     catch( const IO_ERROR& ioe )
     {
@@ -102,6 +102,9 @@ bool PCB_EDIT_FRAME::ExportSpecctraFile( const wxString& aFullFilename )
     return ok;
 }
 
+namespace DSN
+{
+
 
 void ExportBoardToSpecctraFile( BOARD* aBoard, const wxString& aFullFilename )
 {
@@ -138,8 +141,6 @@ void ExportBoardToSpecctraFile( BOARD* aBoard, const wxString& aFullFilename )
 }
 
 
-namespace DSN {
-
 // "specctra reported units" are what we tell the external router that our exported lengths are in
 
 /**
@@ -1836,4 +1837,4 @@ void SPECCTRA_DB::RevertFOOTPRINTs( BOARD* aBoard )
     m_footprintsAreFlipped = false;
 }
 
-}       // namespace DSN
+} // namespace DSN
diff --git a/pcbnew/specctra_import_export/specctra_import.cpp b/pcbnew/specctra_import_export/specctra_import.cpp
index f3d1776963..d454dda816 100644
--- a/pcbnew/specctra_import_export/specctra_import.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/specctra_import_export/specctra_import.cpp
@@ -50,28 +50,23 @@
 
 using namespace DSN;
 
-
 bool PCB_EDIT_FRAME::ImportSpecctraSession( const wxString& fullFileName )
 {
     // To avoid issues with undo/redo lists (dangling pointers) clear the lists
     // todo: use undo/redo feature
     ClearUndoRedoList();
 
-    // Remove existing tracks from view. They will be readded later after loading new tracks.
     if( GetCanvas() )    // clear view:
     {
         for( PCB_TRACK* track : GetBoard()->Tracks() )
             GetCanvas()->GetView()->Remove( track );
     }
 
-    SPECCTRA_DB     db;
-    LOCALE_IO       toggle;
-
     try
     {
-        db.LoadSESSION( fullFileName );
-        db.FromSESSION( GetBoard() );
+        DSN::ImportSpecctraSession( GetBoard(), fullFileName );
     }
+
     catch( const IO_ERROR& ioe )
     {
         wxString msg = _( "Board may be corrupted, do not save it.\n Fix problem and try again" );
@@ -82,20 +77,16 @@ bool PCB_EDIT_FRAME::ImportSpecctraSession( const wxString& fullFileName )
         return false;
     }
 
-    GetBoard()->GetConnectivity()->ClearRatsnest();
-    GetBoard()->BuildConnectivity();
-
     OnModify();
 
     if( GetCanvas() )    // Update view:
     {
         // Update footprint positions
-        GetCanvas()->GetView()->RecacheAllItems();
 
         // add imported tracks (previous tracks are removed, therefore all are new)
         for( auto track : GetBoard()->Tracks() )
             GetCanvas()->GetView()->Add( track );
-   }
+    }
 
     SetStatusText( wxString( _( "Session file imported and merged OK." ) ) );
 
@@ -545,4 +536,17 @@ void SPECCTRA_DB::FromSESSION( BOARD* aBoard )
 }
 
 
+bool ImportSpecctraSession( BOARD* aBoard, const wxString& fullFileName )
+{
+    SPECCTRA_DB db;
+    LOCALE_IO   toggle;
+
+    db.LoadSESSION( fullFileName );
+    db.FromSESSION( aBoard );
+
+    aBoard->GetConnectivity()->ClearRatsnest();
+    aBoard->BuildConnectivity();
+
+    return true;
+}
 } // namespace DSN