diff --git a/IPython/deathrow/ipy_vimserver.py b/IPython/deathrow/ipy_vimserver.py
index d055cd5..1902c6a 100644
--- a/IPython/deathrow/ipy_vimserver.py
+++ b/IPython/deathrow/ipy_vimserver.py
@@ -74,7 +74,12 @@ import socket, select
 import os, threading, subprocess
 import re
 
-ERRCONDS = select.POLLHUP|select.POLLERR
+try:
+    ERRCONDS = select.POLLHUP|select.POLLERR
+except AttributeError:
+    raise ImportError("Vim server not supported on this platform - select "
+                      "missing necessary POLLHUP/POLLERR functionality")
+
 SERVER = None
 ip = ipapi.get()