diff --git a/PIL/Image.py b/PIL/Image.py
index 621efecb9..bb15aaa95 100644
--- a/PIL/Image.py
+++ b/PIL/Image.py
@@ -28,10 +28,7 @@ from __future__ import print_function
 
 from PIL import VERSION, PILLOW_VERSION, _plugins
 
-try:
-    import warnings
-except ImportError:
-    warnings = None
+import warnings
 
 class _imaging_not_installed:
     # module placeholder
@@ -56,41 +53,36 @@ try:
     from PIL import _imaging as core
     if PILLOW_VERSION != getattr(core, 'PILLOW_VERSION', None):
          raise ImportError("The _imaging extension was built for another "
-                            " version of Pillow or PIL. Most PIL functions "
-                             " will be disabled ")
+                            " version of Pillow or PIL")
 
 except ImportError as v:
     core = _imaging_not_installed()
-    if not warnings: # the warnings module is available since Python 2.1
-        raise # raise the original ImportError.
-    elif str(v).startswith("Module use of python"):
+    # Explanations for ways that we know we might have an import error 
+    if str(v).startswith("Module use of python"):
         # The _imaging C module is present, but not compiled for
         # the right version (windows only).  Print a warning, if
         # possible.
         warnings.warn(
             "The _imaging extension was built for another version "
-            "of Python; most PIL functions will be disabled",
+            "of Python.",
             RuntimeWarning
             )
     elif str(v).startswith("The _imaging extension"):
         warnings.warn(str(v), RuntimeWarning)
     elif "Symbol not found: _PyUnicodeUCS2_FromString" in str(v):
         warnings.warn(
-            "The _imaging extension was build for Python with UCS2 support; "
-            "recompile PIL or build Python --without-wide-unicode. "
-            "Most PIL functions will be disabled",
+            "The _imaging extension was built for Python with UCS2 support; "
+            "recompile PIL or build Python --without-wide-unicode. ",
             RuntimeWarning
             )
     elif "Symbol not found: _PyUnicodeUCS4_FromString" in str(v):
         warnings.warn(
-            "The _imaging extension was build for Python with UCS4 support; "
-            "recompile PIL or build Python --with-wide-unicode. "
-            "Most PIL functions will be disabled",
+            "The _imaging extension was built for Python with UCS4 support; "
+            "recompile PIL or build Python --with-wide-unicode. ",
             RuntimeWarning
             )
-    else:
-        # unknown problem. Raise the original exception.
-        raise
+    # Fail here anyway. Don't let people run with a mostly broken Pillow.     
+    raise 
 
 try:
     import builtins