diff --git a/Library/Homebrew/python_helper.rb b/Library/Homebrew/python_helper.rb
index 3fd501bb2b..c99fce2c74 100644
--- a/Library/Homebrew/python_helper.rb
+++ b/Library/Homebrew/python_helper.rb
@@ -35,15 +35,11 @@ def python_helper(options={:allowed_major_versions => [2, 3]}, &block)
   filtered_python_reqs = []
   while !python_reqs.empty?
     py = python_reqs.shift
-    # this is ulgy but Ruby 1.8 has no `uniq! { }`
-    if !filtered_python_reqs.map{ |fpr| fpr.binary }.include?(py.binary) &&
-       py.satisfied? &&
-       options[:allowed_major_versions].include?(py.version.major) &&
-       # if optional or recommended then check the build.with?
-       (self.build.with?(py.name) || !(py.optional? || py.recommended?))
-    then
-      filtered_python_reqs << py
-    end
+    next if filtered_python_reqs.any? { |req| req.binary == py.binary }
+    next unless py.satisfied?
+    next unless options[:allowed_major_versions].include?(py.version.major)
+    next if (py.optional? || py.recommended?) && build.without?(py.name)
+    filtered_python_reqs << py
   end
 
   # Allow to use an else-branch like so: `if python do ... end; else ... end`