diff --git a/IPython/__init__.py b/IPython/__init__.py
index b8956fe..69750f2 100644
--- a/IPython/__init__.py
+++ b/IPython/__init__.py
@@ -28,8 +28,10 @@ import sys
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 # Don't forget to also update setup.py when this changes!
-if sys.version_info[:2] < (2,7):
-    raise ImportError('IPython requires Python Version 2.7 or above.')
+v = sys.version_info
+if v[:2] < (2,7) or (v[0] >= 3 and v[:2] < (3,3)):
+    raise ImportError('IPython requires Python version 2.7 or 3.3 or above.')
+del v
 
 # Make it easy to import extensions - they are always directly on pythonpath.
 # Therefore, non-IPython modules can be added to extensions directory.
diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index 7ef9289..1336f42 100755
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -26,8 +26,9 @@ import sys
 
 # This check is also made in IPython/__init__, don't forget to update both when
 # changing Python version requirements.
-if sys.version_info[:2] < (2,7):
-    error = "ERROR: IPython requires Python Version 2.7 or above."
+v = sys.version_info
+if v[:2] < (2,7) or (v[0] >= 3 and v[:2] < (3,3)):
+    error = "ERROR: IPython requires Python version 2.7 or 3.3 or above."
     print(error, file=sys.stderr)
     sys.exit(1)