diff -ru Python-2.5.2-orig/Lib/ctypes/util.py Python-2.5.2/Lib/ctypes/util.py
--- Python-2.5.2-orig/Lib/ctypes/util.py	2007-09-14 16:05:26.000000000 -0400
+++ Python-2.5.2/Lib/ctypes/util.py	2008-09-24 17:30:06.000000000 -0400
@@ -83,9 +83,14 @@
             if not f:
                 return None
             cmd = "objdump -p -j .dynamic 2>/dev/null " + f
-            res = re.search(r'\sSONAME\s+([^\s]+)', os.popen(cmd).read())
+            try:
+                res = re.search(r'\sSONAME\s+([^\s]+)', os.popen(cmd).read())
+            except:
+                res = None
             if not res:
-                return None
+                return os.path.basename(f) #  This is good for GLibc, I think,
+                                           # and a dep on binutils is big (for
+                                           # live CDs).
             return res.group(1)
 
     if (sys.platform.startswith("freebsd")