diff --git a/pandas/core/nanops.py b/pandas/core/nanops.py
index <HASH>..<HASH> 100644
--- a/pandas/core/nanops.py
+++ b/pandas/core/nanops.py
@@ -12,7 +12,10 @@ except ImportError:  # pragma: no cover
     _USE_BOTTLENECK = False
 
 def _bottleneck_switch(bn_name, alt, **kwargs):
-    bn_func = getattr(bn, bn_name)
+    try:
+        bn_func = getattr(bn, bn_name)
+    except NameError:
+        bn_func = None
     def f(values, axis=None, skipna=True):
         try:
             if _USE_BOTTLENECK and skipna:
BUG: wrap getting bottleneck function in try/catch, GH #<I>