diff --git a/src/follow_waypoints/follow_waypoints.py b/src/follow_waypoints/follow_waypoints.py
index f9bc19f..951ab25 100644
--- a/src/follow_waypoints/follow_waypoints.py
+++ b/src/follow_waypoints/follow_waypoints.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-#!/usr/bin/env python
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
 
 import threading
 import rospy
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ def wait_for_start_journey():
             try:
                 pose = rospy.wait_for_message(topic, PoseWithCovarianceStamped, timeout=1)
             except rospy.ROSException as e:
-                if 'timeout exceeded' in e.message:
+                if 'timeout exceeded' in str(e):
                     continue  # no new waypoint within timeout, looping...
                 else:
                     raise e