diff --git a/update/update.py b/update/update.py
index 5d8936c..cb8b0b5 100644
--- a/update/update.py
+++ b/update/update.py
@@ -467,7 +467,7 @@ class Update:
             emerge.uninstalling.add_observer(self._printUninstallPackage)
             try:
                 emerge.run()
-            except EmergeError as e:
+            except EmergeError:
                 self.emerge_cache.drop_cache()
                 if emerge.emerging_error:
                     self.printPre(
diff --git a/update/variables/update.py b/update/variables/update.py
index 0f79468..a000e45 100644
--- a/update/variables/update.py
+++ b/update/variables/update.py
@@ -117,8 +117,10 @@ class VariableClUpdateSystemProfile(ReadonlyVariable):
     """
     def get(self):
         try:
+            make_profile = self.Get('cl_make_profile')
             return path.normpath(
-                path.join('/etc',os.readlink('/etc/make.profile')))
+                path.join(path.dirname(make_profile),
+                          os.readlink(make_profile)))
         except:
             raise VariableError(_("Failed to determine system profile"))