diff --git a/bandit/plugins/blacklist_imports.py b/bandit/plugins/blacklist_imports.py
index 771e311a..8873fb6b 100644
--- a/bandit/plugins/blacklist_imports.py
+++ b/bandit/plugins/blacklist_imports.py
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ def blacklist_import_func(context, config):
             # item 0=import, 1=message, 2=level
             if check[0]:
                 for im in check[0]:
-                    if im == context.call_args[0]:
+                    if len(context.call_args) and im == context.call_args[0]:
                         return _get_result(check, im)
 
 
@@ -110,4 +110,4 @@ def _get_result(check, im):
     elif check[2] == 'INFO':
         level = bandit.INFO
 
-    return level, "%s" % message
\ No newline at end of file
+    return level, "%s" % message
diff --git a/examples/imports-function.py b/examples/imports-function.py
index 20ff2636..06e19fc1 100644
--- a/examples/imports-function.py
+++ b/examples/imports-function.py
@@ -2,3 +2,7 @@ os = __import__("os")
 pickle = __import__("pickle")
 sys = __import__("sys")
 subprocess = __import__("subprocess")
+
+# this has been reported in the wild, though it's invalid python
+# see bug https://bugs.launchpad.net/bandit/+bug/1396333
+__import__()