diff --git a/plugins/X3DReader/X3DReader.py b/plugins/X3DReader/X3DReader.py
index 43f528fb82..8311df0ebe 100644
--- a/plugins/X3DReader/X3DReader.py
+++ b/plugins/X3DReader/X3DReader.py
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ class X3DReader(MeshReader):
             if root[0].tag == "head":
                 for headNode in root[0]:
                     if headNode.tag == "unit" and headNode.attrib.get("category") == "length":
-                        scale *= float.parse(headNode.attrib["conversionFactor"])
+                        scale *= float(headNode.attrib["conversionFactor"])
                         break 
                 scene = root[1]
             else: