diff --git a/swift/common/middleware/catch_errors.py b/swift/common/middleware/catch_errors.py
index f1ab249b25..eee45b8e1f 100644
--- a/swift/common/middleware/catch_errors.py
+++ b/swift/common/middleware/catch_errors.py
@@ -26,10 +26,10 @@ class CatchErrorMiddleware(object):
 
     def __init__(self, app, conf):
         self.app = app
-        try:
-            # if the application already has a logger we should use that one
-            self.logger = app.logger
-        except AttributeError:
+        # if the application already has a logger we should use that one
+        self.logger = getattr(app, 'logger', None)
+        if not self.logger:
+            # and only call get_logger if we have to
             self.logger = get_logger(conf)
 
     def __call__(self, env, start_response):