diff --git a/test_websocket.py b/test_websocket.py
index d849a2b..b3a6f54 100644
--- a/test_websocket.py
+++ b/test_websocket.py
@@ -3,7 +3,12 @@
 
 import base64
 import socket
-import ssl
+try:
+    from ssl import SSLError
+except ImportError:
+    # dummy class of SSLError for ssl none-support environment.
+    class SSLError(Exception):
+        pass
 import unittest
 import uuid
 
@@ -191,7 +196,7 @@ class WebSocketTest(unittest.TestCase):
         s.add_packet("foo")
         s.add_packet(socket.timeout())
         s.add_packet("bar")
-        s.add_packet(ssl.SSLError("The read operation timed out"))
+        s.add_packet(SSLError("The read operation timed out"))
         s.add_packet("baz")
         with self.assertRaises(ws.WebSocketTimeoutException):
             data = sock._recv_strict(9)
diff --git a/websocket.py b/websocket.py
index abcae43..c2d5c9e 100644
--- a/websocket.py
+++ b/websocket.py
@@ -24,8 +24,13 @@ import socket
 
 try:
     import ssl
+    from ssl import SSLError
     HAVE_SSL = True
 except ImportError:
+    # dummy class of SSLError for ssl none-support environment.
+    class SSLError(Exception):
+        pass
+
     HAVE_SSL = False
 
 from urlparse import urlparse
@@ -705,7 +710,7 @@ class WebSocket(object):
             bytes = self.sock.recv(bufsize)
         except socket.timeout as e:
             raise WebSocketTimeoutException(e.message)
-        except ssl.SSLError as e:
+        except SSLError as e:
             if e.message == "The read operation timed out":
                 raise WebSocketTimeoutException(e.message)
             else: