diff --git a/python/pydevSrc/com/jetbrains/python/debugger/pydev/RemoteDebugger.java b/python/pydevSrc/com/jetbrains/python/debugger/pydev/RemoteDebugger.java
index 010d369d9645..50f477ba8016 100644
--- a/python/pydevSrc/com/jetbrains/python/debugger/pydev/RemoteDebugger.java
+++ b/python/pydevSrc/com/jetbrains/python/debugger/pydev/RemoteDebugger.java
@@ -262,8 +262,9 @@ public class RemoteDebugger implements ProcessDebugger {
       if (frameVars == null || frameVars.size() == 0) continue;
 
       final String expression = "del " + StringUtil.join(frameVars, ",");
+      final String wrappedExpression = String.format("try:\n    %s\nexcept:\n    pass", expression);
       try {
-        evaluate(threadId, entry.getKey(), expression, true);
+        evaluate(threadId, entry.getKey(), wrappedExpression, true);
       }
       catch (PyDebuggerException e) {
         LOG.error(e);