--- a/gr-filter/python/filter/design/filter_design.py
+++ b/gr-filter/python/filter/design/filter_design.py
@@ -917,7 +917,7 @@
             try:
                 (self.b, self.a) = signal.iirfilter(order, besselparams, btype=iirbtype.replace(' ', '').lower(),
                                                     analog=sanalog[atype], ftype=iirft[iirftype], output='ba')
-            except StandardError as e:
+            except Exception as e:
                 reply = QtGui.QMessageBox.information(self, "IIR design error", e.args[0],
                                                       QtGui.QMessageBox.Ok)
 
@@ -929,7 +929,7 @@
             try:
                 (self.b, self.a) = signal.iirdesign(params[0], params[1], params[2], params[3],
                                                     analog=sanalog[atype], ftype=iirft[iirftype], output='ba')
-            except StandardError as e:
+            except Exception as e:
                 reply = QtGui.QMessageBox.information(self, "IIR design error", e.args[0],
                                                       QtGui.QMessageBox.Ok)
 
