diff --git a/Tools/idle/CallTips.py b/Tools/idle/CallTips.py
index 7c5f41c73d5..0a9eb30c3b7 100644
--- a/Tools/idle/CallTips.py
+++ b/Tools/idle/CallTips.py
@@ -143,11 +143,16 @@ def get_arg_text(ob):
             except:
                 pass
         # See if we can use the docstring
-        if hasattr(ob, "__doc__") and ob.__doc__:
-            pos = string.find(ob.__doc__, "\n")
-            if pos<0 or pos>70: pos=70
-            if argText: argText = argText + "\n"
-            argText = argText + ob.__doc__[:pos]
+        doc = getattr(ob, "__doc__", "")
+        if doc:
+            while doc[:1] in " \t\n":
+                doc = doc[1:]
+            pos = doc.find("\n")
+            if pos < 0 or pos > 70:
+                pos = 70
+            if argText:
+                argText += "\n"
+            argText += doc[:pos]
 
     return argText