diff --git a/openflexure_microscope/rescue/check_picamera.py b/openflexure_microscope/rescue/check_picamera.py
index e8a5a113..c9618f91 100644
--- a/openflexure_microscope/rescue/check_picamera.py
+++ b/openflexure_microscope/rescue/check_picamera.py
@@ -26,11 +26,11 @@ def main():
 
     try:
         import picamerax
-    except Exception as _:  # pylint: disable=W0703
+    except Exception as _e:  # pylint: disable=W0703
         error_sources.append(PICAMERA_IMPORT_ERROR)
     else:
         try:
-            _ = picamerax.PiCamera()
+            _cam = picamerax.PiCamera()
         except picamerax.PiCameraError as e:
             msg = e.args[0]
             if msg in PICAMERA_ERROR_MAP: