diff --git a/Lib/string.py b/Lib/string.py
index de364de..ad2146c 100644
--- a/Lib/string.py
+++ b/Lib/string.py
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@
 
     """
     if len(fromstr) != len(tostr):
-        raise ValueError, "maketrans arguments must have same length"
+        raise ValueError("maketrans arguments must have same length")
     global _idmapL
     if not _idmapL:
         _idmapL = list(_idmap)