diff --git a/src/calibre/devices/scanner.py b/src/calibre/devices/scanner.py
index 380dcb7440..ab06db1af0 100644
--- a/src/calibre/devices/scanner.py
+++ b/src/calibre/devices/scanner.py
@@ -30,6 +30,12 @@ class Drive(str):
         typ.order = order
         return typ
 
+def drivecmp(a, b):
+    ans = cmp(getattr(a, 'order', 0), getattr(b, 'order', 0))
+    if ans == 0:
+        ans = cmp(a, b)
+    return ans
+
 
 class WinPNPScanner(object):
 
diff --git a/src/calibre/devices/usbms/device.py b/src/calibre/devices/usbms/device.py
index 2c095d6f7b..4711a8eec4 100644
--- a/src/calibre/devices/usbms/device.py
+++ b/src/calibre/devices/usbms/device.py
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ intended to be subclassed with the relevant parts implemented for a particular
 device. This class handles device detection.
 '''
 
-import os, subprocess, time, re, sys, glob, operator
+import os, subprocess, time, re, sys, glob
 from itertools import repeat
 
 from calibre.devices.interface import DevicePlugin
@@ -225,7 +225,7 @@ class Device(DeviceConfig, DevicePlugin):
         return False
 
     def open_windows(self):
-        from calibre.devices.scanner import win_pnp_drives
+        from calibre.devices.scanner import win_pnp_drives, drivecmp
 
         time.sleep(5)
         drives = {}
@@ -263,7 +263,7 @@ class Device(DeviceConfig, DevicePlugin):
         if self.WINDOWS_MAIN_MEM in (self.WINDOWS_CARD_A_MEM,
                 self.WINDOWS_CARD_B_MEM) or \
                 self.WINDOWS_CARD_A_MEM == self.WINDOWS_CARD_B_MEM:
-            letters = sorted(drives.values(), key=operator.attrgetter('order'))
+            letters = sorted(drives.values(), cmp=drivecmp)
             drives = {}
             for which, letter in zip(['main', 'carda', 'cardb'], letters):
                 drives[which] = letter