I took a new look at this. When installing python-scitools on Ubuntu 16.04 I don't see any such warnings in the log. Doesn't seem to be specifically mentioned in the changelog for https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/scitools/0.9.0-2 , but looks like this fixed it somehow. Thus marking it as Fixed now.
** Changed in: scitools (Ubuntu) Status: Incomplete => Fix Released ** Changed in: hundredpapercuts Status: Incomplete => Fix Released -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Bugs, which is subscribed to Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1153771 Title: SyntaxWarning during installation To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/hundredpapercuts/+bug/1153771/+subscriptions -- ubuntu-bugs mailing list ubuntu-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bugs