diff --git a/init.vim b/init.vim
index 0f336ec..460c459 100644
--- a/init.vim
+++ b/init.vim
@@ -55,6 +55,11 @@ if !g:enablecompletion
     call add(g:pathogen_disabled, "vim-snippets")
 endif
 
+"don't load MatchTagAlways if python isn't available
+if !has('python3')
+    call add(g:pathogen_disabled, 'MatchTagAlways')
+endif
+
 "use pathogen to load plugins that haven't been disabled
 runtime bundle/vim-pathogen/autoload/pathogen.vim