diff --git a/modulefinder.py.orig b/modulefinder.py
index 7f2bf8b..cd5f835 100644
--- a/modulefinder.py.orig
+++ b/modulefinder.py
@@ -287,7 +287,11 @@ class ModuleFinder:
             self.msgout(2, "load_module ->", m)
             return m
         if type == imp.PY_SOURCE:
-            co = compile(fp.read()+'\n', pathname, 'exec')
+            try:
+                co = compile(fp.read()+'\n', pathname, 'exec')
+            except SyntaxError:
+                self.msgout(2, "raise ImportError: Syntax error", pathname)
+                raise ImportError, "Syntax error in %s" % pathname
         elif type == imp.PY_COMPILED:
             if fp.read(4) != imp.get_magic():
                 self.msgout(2, "raise ImportError: Bad magic number", pathname)