diff --git a/rest_framework/compat.py b/rest_framework/compat.py
index aace54e6e..9c69eaa03 100644
--- a/rest_framework/compat.py
+++ b/rest_framework/compat.py
@@ -160,7 +160,8 @@ except ImportError:
 try:
     import coreapi
     import uritemplate
-except ImportError:
+except (ImportError, SyntaxError):
+    # SyntaxError is possible under python 3.2
     coreapi = None
     uritemplate = None