diff --git a/rest_framework/compat.py b/rest_framework/compat.py
index 5009ffee1..f7e42bde6 100644
--- a/rest_framework/compat.py
+++ b/rest_framework/compat.py
@@ -115,8 +115,7 @@ except ImportError:
 try:
     import coreapi
     import uritemplate
-except (ImportError, SyntaxError):
-    # SyntaxError is possible under python 3.2
+except ImportError:
     coreapi = None
     uritemplate = None