diff --git a/mode/python.py b/mode/python.py
index ecb9fa9..4367ba0 100644
--- a/mode/python.py
+++ b/mode/python.py
@@ -119,6 +119,8 @@ class PythonTabber(tab.StackTabber):
             self.popped      = False
             tokens           = self.get_tokens(y)
             currlvl          = self.get_curr_level()
+            #if currlvl is None:
+            #    raise Exception("damn: %r" % [(m, m.level) for m in self.markers])
             # if we were continuing, let's pop that previous continuation token
             # and note that we're continuing
             if self.markers and self.markers[-1].name == 'cont':
@@ -131,7 +133,7 @@ class PythonTabber(tab.StackTabber):
                     l = len(tokens[0].string)
                 else:
                     l = 0
-                while currlvl > l:
+                while currlvl is not None and currlvl > l:
                     self._pop()
                     currlvl = self.get_curr_level()
                     self.popped = True
@@ -162,7 +164,7 @@ class PythonTabber(tab.StackTabber):
             else:
                 self._opt_append('cont', currlvl + w, y)
         elif fqname == 'string.start':
-            # while inside of a string, there is no indention leve
+            # while inside of a string, there is no indention level
             self._opt_append('string', None, y)
         elif fqname == 'string.end':
             # since we're done with the string, resume our indentation level
@@ -686,7 +688,7 @@ class Python(mode.Fundamental):
             i -= 1
             if marker.y == y:
                 continue
-            if ws and marker.level > ws:
+            if ws and marker.level is not None and marker.level > ws:
                 continue
             s = w.buffer.lines[marker.y][:w.width - 1]
             hs.insert(0, [RenderString(s=s, attrs=color.build(fg, bg))])