--- a/schema.py	Fri Jul 12 10:50:56 2013 +0200
+++ b/schema.py	Fri Oct 04 15:59:54 2013 +0200
@@ -982,14 +982,11 @@
     distinct_query = None
 
     def serialize(self):
-        # start with a comma for bw compat,see below
+        # start with a semicolon for bw compat, see below
         return ';' + ','.join(sorted(self.mainvars)) + ';' + self.expression
 
     @classmethod
     def deserialize(cls, value):
-        # XXX < 3.5.10 bw compat
-        if not value.startswith(';'):
-            return cls(value)
         _, mainvars, expression = value.split(';', 2)
         return cls(expression, mainvars)
 
@@ -1044,9 +1041,6 @@
                                self.msg or '')
 
     def deserialize(cls, value):
-        # XXX < 3.5.10 bw compat
-        if not value.startswith(';'):
-            return cls(value)
         value, msg = value.split('\n', 1)
         _, mainvars, expression = value.split(';', 2)
         return cls(expression, mainvars, msg)