diff --git a/mercurial/crecord.py b/mercurial/crecord.py
index 8d4b133de7..b6a721772c 100644
--- a/mercurial/crecord.py
+++ b/mercurial/crecord.py
@@ -43,8 +43,9 @@ except ImportError:
         import wcurses as curses
         curses.error
     except ImportError:
-        # wcurses is not shipped on Windows by default
-        pass
+        # wcurses is not shipped on Windows by default, or python is not
+        # compiled with curses
+        curses = False
 
 try:
     curses