diff --git a/tools/check/check_python b/tools/check/check_python
index e56f5a9684..6d665ea4b2 100755
--- a/tools/check/check_python
+++ b/tools/check/check_python
@@ -3,7 +3,10 @@
 
 RC=0
 
-python -V 2>&1 | cut -d ' ' -f 2 | grep -q '^2.[2345]' || RC=1
+python -c '
+import sys
+sys.exit(sys.version_info[0] < 2 or sys.version_info[1] < 2)
+' || RC=1
 
 if test ${RC} -ne 0; then
 	echo
diff --git a/tools/check/check_python_xml b/tools/check/check_python_xml
index 95174f4688..de9ebac09c 100755
--- a/tools/check/check_python_xml
+++ b/tools/check/check_python_xml
@@ -1,11 +1,7 @@
 #!/bin/bash
 # CHECK-INSTALL
 
-function error {
-    echo
-    echo "  *** Check for python-xml package FAILED"
-    exit 1
-}
+RC=0
 
 python -c '
 import os.path, sys
@@ -13,4 +9,11 @@ for p in sys.path:
 	if os.path.exists(p + "/xml/dom/minidom.py"):
 		sys.exit(0)
 sys.exit(1)
-' || error
+' || RC=1
+
+if test ${RC} -ne 0; then
+    echo
+    echo "  *** Check for python-xml package FAILED"
+fi
+
+exit ${RC}