diff --git a/rest_framework/compat.py b/rest_framework/compat.py
index 5009ffee19..f7e42bde66 100644
--- a/rest_framework/compat.py
+++ b/rest_framework/compat.py
@@ -115,8 +115,7 @@ def _resolve_model(obj):
 try:
     import coreapi
     import uritemplate
-except (ImportError, SyntaxError):
-    # SyntaxError is possible under python 3.2
+except ImportError:
     coreapi = None
     uritemplate = None