diff --git a/openstack/common/memorycache.py b/openstack/common/memorycache.py
index f35d4ee37..6fa56acdc 100644
--- a/openstack/common/memorycache.py
+++ b/openstack/common/memorycache.py
@@ -36,11 +36,8 @@ def get_client(memcached_servers=None):
     if not memcached_servers:
         memcached_servers = CONF.memcached_servers
     if memcached_servers:
-        try:
-            import memcache
-            client_cls = memcache.Client
-        except ImportError:
-            pass
+        import memcache
+        client_cls = memcache.Client
 
     return client_cls(memcached_servers, debug=0)