diff --git a/GPy/util/linalg.py b/GPy/util/linalg.py
index cf210bba..e3e421f6 100644
--- a/GPy/util/linalg.py
+++ b/GPy/util/linalg.py
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ try:
     assert hasattr(_blaslib, 'dsyr_')
 except AssertionError:
     _blas_available = False
-except AttributeError e:
+except AttributeError as e:
     _blas_available = False
     warnings.warn("warning: caught this exception:" + str(e))