diff --git a/src/chat_control.py b/src/chat_control.py
index 765c5dc05..1dbbdac46 100644
--- a/src/chat_control.py
+++ b/src/chat_control.py
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ from command_system.implementation.execute import Execute, Show
 try:
     import gtkspell
     HAS_GTK_SPELL = True
-except ImportError:
+except (ImportError, ValueError):
     HAS_GTK_SPELL = False
 
 from common import dbus_support
diff --git a/src/config.py b/src/config.py
index 5fd8f3c84..62143b21a 100644
--- a/src/config.py
+++ b/src/config.py
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ import profile_window
 try:
     import gtkspell
     HAS_GTK_SPELL = True
-except ImportError:
+except (ImportError, ValueError):
     HAS_GTK_SPELL = False
 
 from common import helpers
diff --git a/src/dialogs.py b/src/dialogs.py
index f76da8413..4f791ee84 100644
--- a/src/dialogs.py
+++ b/src/dialogs.py
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ from common import ged
 try:
     import gtkspell
     HAS_GTK_SPELL = True
-except ImportError:
+except (ImportError, ValueError):
     HAS_GTK_SPELL = False
 
 # those imports are not used in this file, but in files that 'import dialogs'