diff --git a/tests/util.py b/tests/util.py
index fffdcce19..c4c535922 100644
--- a/tests/util.py
+++ b/tests/util.py
@@ -13,7 +13,11 @@ import StringIO
 import tempfile
 import shutil
 
-from functools import wraps
+try:
+    from functools import wraps
+except ImportError:
+    # functools is new in 2.4
+    wraps = lambda f: (lambda w: w)
 
 from sphinx import application, builder