Oh fun. Just what Python needs more of, this... try: value = int(value_to_parse) except ValueError: import sys __old_int_max_s

Oh fun. Just what Python needs more of, this... try: value = int(value_to_parse) except ValueError: import sys __old_int_max_str_digits = sys.get_int_max_str_digits() sys.set_int_max_str_digits(0) value = int(value_to_parse) sys.set_int_max_str_digits(__old_int_max_str_digits) Or maybe just this: class UnboundedIntParsing: def __enter__(self): self.__old_int_max_str_digits = sys.get_int_max_str_digits() return self def __exit__(self, *args): sys.set_int_max_str_digits(self.__old_int_max_str_digits) with UnboundedIntParsing as uip: value = int(str_value)