diff --git a/lisp/progmodes/python.el b/lisp/progmodes/python.el
index f9b28c322c8..9cd9cc8b7c0 100644
--- a/lisp/progmodes/python.el
+++ b/lisp/progmodes/python.el
@@ -4040,7 +4040,7 @@ be added to `python-mode-skeleton-abbrev-table'."
   "Abbrev table for Python mode."
   :parents (list python-mode-skeleton-abbrev-table))
 
-(defmacro python-define-auxiliary-skeleton (name doc &optional &rest skel)
+(defmacro python-define-auxiliary-skeleton (name &optional doc &rest skel)
   "Define a `python-mode' auxiliary skeleton using NAME DOC and SKEL.
 The skeleton will be bound to python-skeleton-NAME."
   (declare (indent 2))
@@ -4060,11 +4060,11 @@ The skeleton will be bound to python-skeleton-NAME."
          (signal 'quit t))
        ,@skel)))
 
-(python-define-auxiliary-skeleton else nil)
+(python-define-auxiliary-skeleton else)
 
-(python-define-auxiliary-skeleton except nil)
+(python-define-auxiliary-skeleton except)
 
-(python-define-auxiliary-skeleton finally nil)
+(python-define-auxiliary-skeleton finally)
 
 (python-skeleton-define if nil
   "Condition: "