diff --git a/hm.py b/hm.py
index 8401f5d1..b8b16900 100644
--- a/hm.py
+++ b/hm.py
@@ -43,8 +43,9 @@ from build import toolchain
 from getopt import gnu_getopt
 
 # minimum required version
+# 2.7 needed for ZipFile.extractall
 requiredMajor = 2
-requiredMinor = 3
+requiredMinor = 7
 
 # options used by all commands
 globalOptions = 'v'
diff --git a/tools/build/toolchain.py b/tools/build/toolchain.py
index af65d48b..86c6064c 100644
--- a/tools/build/toolchain.py
+++ b/tools/build/toolchain.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
 import sys, os, ConfigParser, shutil, re, ftputil, zipfile
 from generators import Generator, EclipseGenerator, MakefilesGenerator
 
-if sys.version_info >= (2, 7):
+if sys.version_info >= (2, 4):
 	import subprocess
 
 class InternalCommands: