diff --git a/Portability.hs b/Portability.hs
index d864d3b938..91c8334cc9 100644
--- a/Portability.hs
+++ b/Portability.hs
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 {- git-annex - Nasty portability workarounds. -}
-module Portability where
+module Portability (SomeException) where
+
+import Control.Exception
 
 -- old ghc does not know about SomeException. 
 --