diff --git a/tools/roslaunch/src/roslaunch/loader.py b/tools/roslaunch/src/roslaunch/loader.py
index 2bbcbbbe..2309577a 100644
--- a/tools/roslaunch/src/roslaunch/loader.py
+++ b/tools/roslaunch/src/roslaunch/loader.py
@@ -42,11 +42,15 @@ import os
 import sys
 from copy import deepcopy
 
-from roslib.names import make_global_ns, ns_join, PRIV_NAME, load_mappings, is_legal_name, canonicalize_name
-
 from roslaunch.core import Param, Master, RosbinExecutable, Node, Test, Machine, \
     RLException, PHASE_SETUP
 
+try:
+    from roslib.names import make_global_ns, ns_join, PRIV_NAME, load_mappings, is_legal_name, canonicalize_name
+except ImportError:
+    raise ImportError('Cannot import new roslib libraries.\nThis is probably due to incompatible "roslib" directories on your PYTHONPATH.\nPlease check your PYTHONPATH and try again')
+
+
 #lazy-import global for yaml
 yaml = None