diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/contentstore/mongo.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/contentstore/mongo.py
index b83a020b9fe0..0d42ec8a731b 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/contentstore/mongo.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/contentstore/mongo.py
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ def get_stream(self, location):
     def close_stream(self, handle):
         try:
             handle.close()
-        except:
+        except Exception:
             pass
 
     def export(self, location, output_directory):
diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/contentstore/utils.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/contentstore/utils.py
index 7c61c979f219..dca7194c4f20 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/contentstore/utils.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/contentstore/utils.py
@@ -45,5 +45,5 @@ def restore_asset_from_trashcan(location):
         try:
             thumbnail_content = trash.find(content.thumbnail_location)
             store.save(thumbnail_content)
-        except:
+        except Exception:
             pass  # OK if this is left dangling