diff --git a/src/Makefile b/src/Makefile
index f993c85..c675c06 100644
--- a/src/Makefile
+++ b/src/Makefile
@@ -2151,6 +2151,8 @@
 	test_popup \
 	test_profile \
 	test_put \
+	test_pyx2 \
+	test_pyx3 \
 	test_quickfix \
 	test_regexp_latin \
 	test_regexp_utf8 \
@@ -2754,6 +2756,7 @@
 				 ../../testdir/*.vim \
 				 ../../testdir/*.py \
 				 ../../testdir/python* \
+				 ../../testdir/pyxfile \
 				 ../../testdir/sautest \
 				 ../../testdir/samples \
 				 ../../testdir/test83-tags? \
diff --git a/src/evalfunc.c b/src/evalfunc.c
index 99d01c4..a3441a0 100644
--- a/src/evalfunc.c
+++ b/src/evalfunc.c
@@ -289,6 +289,9 @@
 #ifdef FEAT_PYTHON
 static void f_pyeval(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv);
 #endif
+#if defined(FEAT_PYTHON) || defined(FEAT_PYTHON3)
+static void f_pyxeval(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv);
+#endif
 static void f_range(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv);
 static void f_readfile(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv);
 static void f_reltime(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv);
@@ -716,6 +719,9 @@
 #ifdef FEAT_PYTHON
     {"pyeval",		1, 1, f_pyeval},
 #endif
+#if defined(FEAT_PYTHON) || defined(FEAT_PYTHON3)
+    {"pyxeval",		1, 1, f_pyxeval},
+#endif
     {"range",		1, 3, f_range},
     {"readfile",	1, 3, f_readfile},
     {"reltime",		0, 2, f_reltime},
@@ -5734,15 +5740,13 @@
 #ifdef FEAT_PERSISTENT_UNDO
 	"persistent_undo",
 #endif
-#ifdef FEAT_PYTHON
-#ifndef DYNAMIC_PYTHON
+#if defined(FEAT_PYTHON) && !defined(DYNAMIC_PYTHON)
 	"python",
+	"pythonx",
 #endif
-#endif
-#ifdef FEAT_PYTHON3
-#ifndef DYNAMIC_PYTHON3
+#if defined(FEAT_PYTHON3) && !defined(DYNAMIC_PYTHON3)
 	"python3",
-#endif
+	"pythonx",
 #endif
 #ifdef FEAT_POSTSCRIPT
 	"postscript",
@@ -5972,17 +5976,30 @@
 	else if (STRICMP(name, "ruby") == 0)
 	    n = ruby_enabled(FALSE);
 #endif
-#ifdef FEAT_PYTHON
 #ifdef DYNAMIC_PYTHON
 	else if (STRICMP(name, "python") == 0)
 	    n = python_enabled(FALSE);
 #endif
-#endif
-#ifdef FEAT_PYTHON3
 #ifdef DYNAMIC_PYTHON3
 	else if (STRICMP(name, "python3") == 0)
 	    n = python3_enabled(FALSE);
 #endif
+#if defined(DYNAMIC_PYTHON) || defined(DYNAMIC_PYTHON3)
+	else if (STRICMP(name, "pythonx") == 0)
+	{
+# if defined(DYNAMIC_PYTHON) && defined(DYNAMIC_PYTHON3)
+	    if (p_pyx == 0)
+		n = python3_enabled(FALSE) || python_enabled(FALSE);
+	    else if (p_pyx == 3)
+		n = python3_enabled(FALSE);
+	    else if (p_pyx == 2)
+		n = python_enabled(FALSE);
+# elif defined(DYNAMIC_PYTHON)
+	    n = python_enabled(FALSE);
+# elif defined(DYNAMIC_PYTHON3)
+	    n = python3_enabled(FALSE);
+# endif
+	}
 #endif
 #ifdef DYNAMIC_PERL
 	else if (STRICMP(name, "perl") == 0)
@@ -8007,6 +8024,9 @@
     char_u	*str;
     char_u	buf[NUMBUFLEN];
 
+    if (p_pyx == 0)
+	p_pyx = 3;
+
     str = get_tv_string_buf(&argvars[0], buf);
     do_py3eval(str, rettv);
 }
@@ -8022,11 +8042,35 @@
     char_u	*str;
     char_u	buf[NUMBUFLEN];
 
+    if (p_pyx == 0)
+	p_pyx = 2;
+
     str = get_tv_string_buf(&argvars[0], buf);
     do_pyeval(str, rettv);
 }
 #endif
 
+#if defined(FEAT_PYTHON) || defined(FEAT_PYTHON3)
+/*
+ * "pyxeval()" function
+ */
+    static void
+f_pyxeval(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv)
+{
+# if defined(FEAT_PYTHON) && defined(FEAT_PYTHON3)
+    init_pyxversion();
+    if (p_pyx == 2)
+	f_pyeval(argvars, rettv);
+    else
+	f_py3eval(argvars, rettv);
+# elif defined(FEAT_PYTHON)
+    f_pyeval(argvars, rettv);
+# elif defined(FEAT_PYTHON3)
+    f_py3eval(argvars, rettv);
+# endif
+}
+#endif
+
 /*
  * "range()" function
  */
diff --git a/src/ex_cmds.h b/src/ex_cmds.h
index cb2fadc..d70ff6a 100644
--- a/src/ex_cmds.h
+++ b/src/ex_cmds.h
@@ -1132,6 +1132,18 @@
 EX(CMD_py3file,		"py3file",	ex_py3file,
 			RANGE|FILE1|NEEDARG|CMDWIN,
 			ADDR_LINES),
+EX(CMD_pyx,		"pyx",		ex_pyx,
+			RANGE|EXTRA|NEEDARG|CMDWIN,
+			ADDR_LINES),
+EX(CMD_pyxdo,		"pyxdo",	ex_pyxdo,
+			RANGE|DFLALL|EXTRA|NEEDARG|CMDWIN,
+			ADDR_LINES),
+EX(CMD_pythonx,		"pythonx",	ex_pyx,
+			RANGE|EXTRA|NEEDARG|CMDWIN,
+			ADDR_LINES),
+EX(CMD_pyxfile,		"pyxfile",	ex_pyxfile,
+			RANGE|FILE1|NEEDARG|CMDWIN,
+			ADDR_LINES),
 EX(CMD_quit,		"quit",		ex_quit,
 			BANG|RANGE|COUNT|NOTADR|TRLBAR|CMDWIN,
 			ADDR_WINDOWS),
diff --git a/src/ex_cmds2.c b/src/ex_cmds2.c
index 7a6047a..59dc4d5 100644
--- a/src/ex_cmds2.c
+++ b/src/ex_cmds2.c
@@ -3675,6 +3675,194 @@
 }
 #endif
 
+#if defined(FEAT_PYTHON3) || defined(FEAT_PYTHON) || defined(PROTO)
+
+# if (defined(FEAT_PYTHON) && defined(FEAT_PYTHON3)) || defined(PROTO)
+/*
+ * Detect Python 3 or 2, and initialize 'pyxversion'.
+ */
+    void
+init_pyxversion(void)
+{
+    if (p_pyx == 0)
+    {
+	if (python3_enabled(FALSE))
+	    p_pyx = 3;
+	else if (python_enabled(FALSE))
+	    p_pyx = 2;
+    }
+}
+# endif
+
+/*
+ * Does a file contain one of the following strings at the beginning of any
+ * line?
+ * "#!(any string)python2"  => returns 2
+ * "#!(any string)python3"  => returns 3
+ * "# requires python 2.x"  => returns 2
+ * "# requires python 3.x"  => returns 3
+ * otherwise return 0.
+ */
+    static int
+requires_py_version(char_u *filename)
+{
+    FILE    *file;
+    int	    requires_py_version = 0;
+    int	    i, lines;
+
+    lines = (int)p_mls;
+    if (lines < 0)
+	lines = 5;
+
+    file = mch_fopen((char *)filename, "r");
+    if (file != NULL)
+    {
+	for (i = 0; i < lines; i++)
+	{
+	    if (vim_fgets(IObuff, IOSIZE, file))
+		break;
+	    if (i == 0 && IObuff[0] == '#' && IObuff[1] == '!')
+	    {
+		/* Check shebang. */
+		if (strstr((char *)IObuff + 2, "python2") != NULL)
+		{
+		    requires_py_version = 2;
+		    break;
+		}
+		if (strstr((char *)IObuff + 2, "python3") != NULL)
+		{
+		    requires_py_version = 3;
+		    break;
+		}
+	    }
+	    IObuff[21] = '\0';
+	    if (STRCMP("# requires python 2.x", IObuff) == 0)
+	    {
+		requires_py_version = 2;
+		break;
+	    }
+	    if (STRCMP("# requires python 3.x", IObuff) == 0)
+	    {
+		requires_py_version = 3;
+		break;
+	    }
+	}
+	fclose(file);
+    }
+    return requires_py_version;
+}
+
+
+/*
+ * Source a python file using the requested python version.
+ */
+    static void
+source_pyx_file(exarg_T *eap, char_u *fname)
+{
+    exarg_T ex;
+    int	    v = requires_py_version(fname);
+
+# if defined(FEAT_PYTHON) && defined(FEAT_PYTHON3)
+    init_pyxversion();
+# endif
+    if (v == 0)
+    {
+# if defined(FEAT_PYTHON) && defined(FEAT_PYTHON3)
+	/* user didn't choose a preference, 'pyx' is used */
+	v = p_pyx;
+# elif defined(FEAT_PYTHON)
+	v = 2;
+# elif defined(FEAT_PYTHON3)
+	v = 3;
+# endif
+    }
+
+    /*
+     * now source, if required python version is not supported show
+     * unobtrusive message.
+     */
+    if (eap == NULL)
+	vim_memset(&ex, 0, sizeof(ex));
+    else
+	ex = *eap;
+    ex.arg = fname;
+    ex.cmd = (char_u *)(v == 2 ? "pyfile" : "pyfile3");
+
+    if (v == 2)
+    {
+# ifdef FEAT_PYTHON
+	ex_pyfile(&ex);
+# else
+	vim_snprintf((char *)IObuff, IOSIZE,
+		_("W20: Required python version 2.x not supported, ignoring file: %s"),
+		fname);
+	MSG(IObuff);
+# endif
+	return;
+    }
+    else
+    {
+# ifdef FEAT_PYTHON3
+	ex_py3file(&ex);
+# else
+	vim_snprintf((char *)IObuff, IOSIZE,
+		_("W21: Required python version 3.x not supported, ignoring file: %s"),
+		fname);
+	MSG(IObuff);
+# endif
+	return;
+    }
+}
+
+/*
+ * ":pyxfile {fname}"
+ */
+    void
+ex_pyxfile(exarg_T *eap)
+{
+    source_pyx_file(eap, eap->arg);
+}
+
+/*
+ * ":pyx"
+ */
+    void
+ex_pyx(exarg_T *eap)
+{
+# if defined(FEAT_PYTHON) && defined(FEAT_PYTHON3)
+    init_pyxversion();
+    if (p_pyx == 2)
+	ex_python(eap);
+    else
+	ex_py3(eap);
+# elif defined(FEAT_PYTHON)
+    ex_python(eap);
+# elif defined(FEAT_PYTHON3)
+    ex_py3(eap);
+# endif
+}
+
+/*
+ * ":pyxdo"
+ */
+    void
+ex_pyxdo(exarg_T *eap)
+{
+# if defined(FEAT_PYTHON) && defined(FEAT_PYTHON3)
+    init_pyxversion();
+    if (p_pyx == 2)
+	ex_pydo(eap);
+    else
+	ex_py3do(eap);
+# elif defined(FEAT_PYTHON)
+    ex_pydo(eap);
+# elif defined(FEAT_PYTHON3)
+    ex_py3do(eap);
+# endif
+}
+
+#endif
+
 /*
  * ":source {fname}"
  */
diff --git a/src/ex_docmd.c b/src/ex_docmd.c
index cff41cf..bfb4c88 100644
--- a/src/ex_docmd.c
+++ b/src/ex_docmd.c
@@ -288,6 +288,11 @@
 # define ex_py3do		ex_ni
 # define ex_py3file		ex_ni
 #endif
+#if !defined(FEAT_PYTHON) && !defined(FEAT_PYTHON3)
+# define ex_pyx			ex_script_ni
+# define ex_pyxdo		ex_ni
+# define ex_pyxfile		ex_ni
+#endif
 #ifndef FEAT_TCL
 # define ex_tcl			ex_script_ni
 # define ex_tcldo		ex_ni
diff --git a/src/if_python.c b/src/if_python.c
index 622634d..6b2ce56 100644
--- a/src/if_python.c
+++ b/src/if_python.c
@@ -1114,6 +1114,9 @@
 {
     char_u *script;
 
+    if (p_pyx == 0)
+	p_pyx = 2;
+
     script = script_get(eap, eap->arg);
     if (!eap->skip)
     {
@@ -1137,6 +1140,9 @@
     const char *file = (char *)eap->arg;
     char *p;
 
+    if (p_pyx == 0)
+	p_pyx = 2;
+
     /* Have to do it like this. PyRun_SimpleFile requires you to pass a
      * stdio file pointer, but Vim and the Python DLL are compiled with
      * different options under Windows, meaning that stdio pointers aren't
@@ -1175,6 +1181,9 @@
     void
 ex_pydo(exarg_T *eap)
 {
+    if (p_pyx == 0)
+	p_pyx = 2;
+
     DoPyCommand((char *)eap->arg,
 	    (rangeinitializer) init_range_cmd,
 	    (runner)run_do,
diff --git a/src/if_python3.c b/src/if_python3.c
index 53a1313..d68ab85 100644
--- a/src/if_python3.c
+++ b/src/if_python3.c
@@ -1004,6 +1004,9 @@
 {
     char_u *script;
 
+    if (p_pyx == 0)
+	p_pyx = 3;
+
     script = script_get(eap, eap->arg);
     if (!eap->skip)
     {
@@ -1028,6 +1031,9 @@
     char *p;
     int i;
 
+    if (p_pyx == 0)
+	p_pyx = 3;
+
     /* Have to do it like this. PyRun_SimpleFile requires you to pass a
      * stdio file pointer, but Vim and the Python DLL are compiled with
      * different options under Windows, meaning that stdio pointers aren't
@@ -1080,6 +1086,9 @@
     void
 ex_py3do(exarg_T *eap)
 {
+    if (p_pyx == 0)
+	p_pyx = 3;
+
     DoPyCommand((char *)eap->arg,
 	    (rangeinitializer)init_range_cmd,
 	    (runner)run_do,
diff --git a/src/option.c b/src/option.c
index a987a4c..b90d5fd 100644
--- a/src/option.c
+++ b/src/option.c
@@ -479,6 +479,17 @@
 # define HIGHLIGHT_INIT "8:SpecialKey,@:NonText,d:Directory,e:ErrorMsg,i:IncSearch,l:Search,m:MoreMsg,M:ModeMsg,n:LineNr,N:CursorLineNr,r:Question,s:StatusLine,S:StatusLineNC,t:Title,v:Visual,w:WarningMsg,W:WildMenu,>:SignColumn,*:TabLine,#:TabLineSel,_:TabLineFill"
 #endif
 
+/* Default python version for pyx* commands */
+#if defined(FEAT_PYTHON) && defined(FEAT_PYTHON3)
+# define DEFAULT_PYTHON_VER	0
+#elif defined(FEAT_PYTHON3)
+# define DEFAULT_PYTHON_VER	3
+#elif defined(FEAT_PYTHON)
+# define DEFAULT_PYTHON_VER	2
+#else
+# define DEFAULT_PYTHON_VER	0
+#endif
+
 /*
  * options[] is initialized here.
  * The order of the options MUST be alphabetic for ":set all" and findoption().
@@ -2143,6 +2154,14 @@
 			    {(char_u *)DYNAMIC_PYTHON_DLL, (char_u *)0L}
 			    SCRIPTID_INIT},
 #endif
+    {"pyxversion", "pyx",   P_NUM|P_VI_DEF|P_SECURE,
+#if defined(FEAT_PYTHON) || defined(FEAT_PYTHON3)
+			    (char_u *)&p_pyx, PV_NONE,
+#else
+			    (char_u *)NULL, PV_NONE,
+#endif
+			    {(char_u *)DEFAULT_PYTHON_VER, (char_u *)0L}
+			    SCRIPTID_INIT},
     {"quoteescape", "qe",   P_STRING|P_ALLOCED|P_VI_DEF,
 #ifdef FEAT_TEXTOBJ
 			    (char_u *)&p_qe, PV_QE,
@@ -8826,6 +8845,15 @@
 	mzvim_reset_timer();
 #endif
 
+#if defined(FEAT_PYTHON) || defined(FEAT_PYTHON3)
+    /* 'pyxversion' */
+    else if (pp == &p_pyx)
+    {
+	if (p_pyx != 0 && p_pyx != 2 && p_pyx != 3)
+	    errmsg = e_invarg;
+    }
+#endif
+
     /* sync undo before 'undolevels' changes */
     else if (pp == &p_ul)
     {
diff --git a/src/option.h b/src/option.h
index 0ad2fef..62e66cd 100644
--- a/src/option.h
+++ b/src/option.h
@@ -694,6 +694,9 @@
 #if defined(DYNAMIC_PYTHON)
 EXTERN char_u	*p_pydll;	/* 'pythondll' */
 #endif
+#if defined(FEAT_PYTHON) || defined(FEAT_PYTHON3)
+EXTERN long	p_pyx;		/* 'pyxversion' */
+#endif
 #ifdef FEAT_RELTIME
 EXTERN long	p_rdt;		/* 'redrawtime' */
 #endif
diff --git a/src/proto/ex_cmds2.pro b/src/proto/ex_cmds2.pro
index c1325a4..4a40f0a 100644
--- a/src/proto/ex_cmds2.pro
+++ b/src/proto/ex_cmds2.pro
@@ -75,6 +75,10 @@
 void ex_packloadall(exarg_T *eap);
 void ex_packadd(exarg_T *eap);
 void ex_options(exarg_T *eap);
+void init_pyxversion(void);
+void ex_pyxfile(exarg_T *eap);
+void ex_pyx(exarg_T *eap);
+void ex_pyxdo(exarg_T *eap);
 void ex_source(exarg_T *eap);
 linenr_T *source_breakpoint(void *cookie);
 int *source_dbg_tick(void *cookie);
diff --git a/src/testdir/Make_all.mak b/src/testdir/Make_all.mak
index c3db6fe..12abb78 100644
--- a/src/testdir/Make_all.mak
+++ b/src/testdir/Make_all.mak
@@ -176,6 +176,8 @@
 	    test_packadd.res \
 	    test_perl.res \
 	    test_profile.res \
+	    test_pyx2.res \
+	    test_pyx3.res \
 	    test_quickfix.res \
 	    test_retab.res \
 	    test_ruby.res \
diff --git a/src/testdir/pyxfile/py2_magic.py b/src/testdir/pyxfile/py2_magic.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..819892f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/testdir/pyxfile/py2_magic.py
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+# requires python 2.x
+
+import sys
+print(sys.version)
diff --git a/src/testdir/pyxfile/py2_shebang.py b/src/testdir/pyxfile/py2_shebang.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..13bfc49
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/testdir/pyxfile/py2_shebang.py
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+#!/usr/bin/python2
+
+import sys
+print(sys.version)
diff --git a/src/testdir/pyxfile/py3_magic.py b/src/testdir/pyxfile/py3_magic.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d4b7ee0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/testdir/pyxfile/py3_magic.py
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+# requires python 3.x
+
+import sys
+print(sys.version)
diff --git a/src/testdir/pyxfile/py3_shebang.py b/src/testdir/pyxfile/py3_shebang.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ec05808
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/testdir/pyxfile/py3_shebang.py
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+#!/usr/bin/python3
+
+import sys
+print(sys.version)
diff --git a/src/testdir/pyxfile/pyx.py b/src/testdir/pyxfile/pyx.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..261a651
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/testdir/pyxfile/pyx.py
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+import sys
+print(sys.version)
diff --git a/src/testdir/test_pyx2.vim b/src/testdir/test_pyx2.vim
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..50e57c3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/testdir/test_pyx2.vim
@@ -0,0 +1,74 @@
+" Test for pyx* commands and functions with Python 2.
+
+set pyx=2
+if !has('python')
+  finish
+endif
+
+let s:py2pattern = '^2\.[0-7]\.\d\+'
+let s:py3pattern = '^3\.\d\+\.\d\+'
+
+
+func Test_has_pythonx()
+  call assert_true(has('pythonx'))
+endfunc
+
+
+func Test_pyx()
+  redir => var
+  pyx << EOF
+import sys
+print(sys.version)
+EOF
+  redir END
+  call assert_match(s:py2pattern, split(var)[0])
+endfunc
+
+
+func Test_pyxdo()
+  pyx import sys
+  enew
+  pyxdo return sys.version.split("\n")[0]
+  call assert_match(s:py2pattern, split(getline('.'))[0])
+endfunc
+
+
+func Test_pyxeval()
+  pyx import sys
+  call assert_match(s:py2pattern, split(pyxeval('sys.version'))[0])
+endfunc
+
+
+func Test_pyxfile()
+  " No special comments nor shebangs
+  redir => var
+  pyxfile pyxfile/pyx.py
+  redir END
+  call assert_match(s:py2pattern, split(var)[0])
+
+  " Python 2 special comment
+  redir => var
+  pyxfile pyxfile/py2_magic.py
+  redir END
+  call assert_match(s:py2pattern, split(var)[0])
+
+  " Python 2 shebang
+  redir => var
+  pyxfile pyxfile/py2_shebang.py
+  redir END
+  call assert_match(s:py2pattern, split(var)[0])
+
+  if has('python3')
+    " Python 3 special comment
+    redir => var
+    pyxfile pyxfile/py3_magic.py
+    redir END
+    call assert_match(s:py3pattern, split(var)[0])
+
+    " Python 3 shebang
+    redir => var
+    pyxfile pyxfile/py3_shebang.py
+    redir END
+    call assert_match(s:py3pattern, split(var)[0])
+  endif
+endfunc
diff --git a/src/testdir/test_pyx3.vim b/src/testdir/test_pyx3.vim
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..64546b4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/testdir/test_pyx3.vim
@@ -0,0 +1,74 @@
+" Test for pyx* commands and functions with Python 3.
+
+set pyx=3
+if !has('python3')
+  finish
+endif
+
+let s:py2pattern = '^2\.[0-7]\.\d\+'
+let s:py3pattern = '^3\.\d\+\.\d\+'
+
+
+func Test_has_pythonx()
+  call assert_true(has('pythonx'))
+endfunc
+
+
+func Test_pyx()
+  redir => var
+  pyx << EOF
+import sys
+print(sys.version)
+EOF
+  redir END
+  call assert_match(s:py3pattern, split(var)[0])
+endfunc
+
+
+func Test_pyxdo()
+  pyx import sys
+  enew
+  pyxdo return sys.version.split("\n")[0]
+  call assert_match(s:py3pattern, split(getline('.'))[0])
+endfunc
+
+
+func Test_pyxeval()
+  pyx import sys
+  call assert_match(s:py3pattern, split(pyxeval('sys.version'))[0])
+endfunc
+
+
+func Test_pyxfile()
+  " No special comments nor shebangs
+  redir => var
+  pyxfile pyxfile/pyx.py
+  redir END
+  call assert_match(s:py3pattern, split(var)[0])
+
+  " Python 3 special comment
+  redir => var
+  pyxfile pyxfile/py3_magic.py
+  redir END
+  call assert_match(s:py3pattern, split(var)[0])
+
+  " Python 3 shebang
+  redir => var
+  pyxfile pyxfile/py3_shebang.py
+  redir END
+  call assert_match(s:py3pattern, split(var)[0])
+
+  if has('python')
+    " Python 2 special comment
+    redir => var
+    pyxfile pyxfile/py2_magic.py
+    redir END
+    call assert_match(s:py2pattern, split(var)[0])
+
+    " Python 2 shebang
+    redir => var
+    pyxfile pyxfile/py2_shebang.py
+    redir END
+    call assert_match(s:py2pattern, split(var)[0])
+  endif
+endfunc
diff --git a/src/userfunc.c b/src/userfunc.c
index 372c9bb..6a6cc06 100644
--- a/src/userfunc.c
+++ b/src/userfunc.c
@@ -2102,7 +2102,9 @@
 	    arg = skipwhite(skiptowhite(p));
 	    if (arg[0] == '<' && arg[1] =='<'
 		    && ((p[0] == 'p' && p[1] == 'y'
-				    && (!ASCII_ISALPHA(p[2]) || p[2] == 't'))
+				    && (!ASCII_ISALNUM(p[2]) || p[2] == 't'
+					|| ((p[2] == '3' || p[2] == 'x')
+						   && !ASCII_ISALPHA(p[3]))))
 			|| (p[0] == 'p' && p[1] == 'e'
 				    && (!ASCII_ISALPHA(p[2]) || p[2] == 'r'))
 			|| (p[0] == 't' && p[1] == 'c'
diff --git a/src/version.c b/src/version.c
index 94b47bb..3818647 100644
--- a/src/version.c
+++ b/src/version.c
@@ -765,6 +765,8 @@
 static int included_patches[] =
 {   /* Add new patch number below this line */
 /**/
+    251,
+/**/
     250,
 /**/
     249,