diff --git a/Misc/python-mode.el b/Misc/python-mode.el
index f7448f1f8cb..f87857652b5 100644
--- a/Misc/python-mode.el
+++ b/Misc/python-mode.el
@@ -79,6 +79,8 @@
 ;;; Code:
 
 (require 'custom)
+(eval-when-compile
+  (require 'cl))
 
 
 ;; user definable variables