diff --git a/ChangeLog b/ChangeLog
index 7bb4d2e496..0316774cb0 100644
--- a/ChangeLog
+++ b/ChangeLog
@@ -1,3 +1,10 @@
+2006-02-27  Edward Hervey  <edward@fluendo.com>
+
+	* pygst.py.in:
+	use 'raise StandardError' instead of 'assert' so that compiled code
+	raise a noticeable exception.
+	Closes #332586
+
 2006-02-22  Joe Wreschnig  <piman@sacredchao.net>
 
 	reviewed by: Edward Hervey  <edward@fluendo.com>
diff --git a/pygst.py.in b/pygst.py.in
index 34690837b9..4ec1be732e 100644
--- a/pygst.py.in
+++ b/pygst.py.in
@@ -41,15 +41,15 @@ def require(version):
     global _pygst_required_version
 
     if _pygst_required_version != None:
-        assert _pygst_required_version == version, \
-               "a different version of gst was already required"
+        if _pygst_required_version != version:
+            raise StandardError, "a different version of gst was already required"
         return
 
-    assert not sys.modules.has_key('gst'), \
-           "pygst.require() must be called before importing gst"
+    if not sys.modules.has_key('gst'):
+        raise StandardError, "pygst.require() must be called before importing gst"
 
-    assert version == _pygst_version, \
-           "Only version '%s' is available" % _pygst_version
+    if version != _pygst_version:
+        raise StandardError, "Only version '%s' is available" % _pygst_version
 
     # move the pygst path to the front
     while _pygst_dir in sys.path: