diff --git a/python/extractor/semmle/python/parser/ast.py b/python/extractor/semmle/python/parser/ast.py
index e1843131554a..0712bf08ae45 100644
--- a/python/extractor/semmle/python/parser/ast.py
+++ b/python/extractor/semmle/python/parser/ast.py
@@ -981,7 +981,16 @@ def visit_except_clause(self, node):
         if len(node.children) > 1:
             type = self.visit(node.children[1], LOAD)
         if len(node.children) > 3:
-            name = self.visit(node.children[3], STORE)
+            if is_token(node.children[2], "as"):
+                name = self.visit(node.children[3], STORE)
+            else:
+                # PEP 758 (Python 3.14+): `except A, B:` is an unparenthesized
+                # tuple of exception types, not a Python 2 alias binding. The
+                # grammar rule `'except' [test [(',' | 'as') test]]` is shared
+                # between both readings, so the separator token decides.
+                elts = [type, self.visit(node.children[3], LOAD)]
+                type = ast.Tuple(elts, LOAD)
+                set_location(type, node.children[1].start, node.children[3].end)
         return type, name
 
     def visit_del_stmt(self, node):
diff --git a/python/extractor/tests/parser/exceptions_relaxed.py b/python/extractor/tests/parser/exceptions_relaxed.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..a0dea76dfa81
--- /dev/null
+++ b/python/extractor/tests/parser/exceptions_relaxed.py
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+try:
+    a
+except b, c:
+    d
+except (e, f):
+    g
+except h as i:
+    j
+except k:
+    l
diff --git a/python/ql/lib/change-notes/2026-08-19-legacy-parser-relaxed-except.md b/python/ql/lib/change-notes/2026-08-19-legacy-parser-relaxed-except.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..bd4bd599f568
--- /dev/null
+++ b/python/ql/lib/change-notes/2026-08-19-legacy-parser-relaxed-except.md
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+---
+category: fix
+---
+* Fixed the extraction of PEP 758 `except A, B:` clauses by the default (non-tree-sitter) Python parser. Previously the second exception type was extracted as a Python 2 style alias binding, so it was recorded as a `Store` rather than a use. This caused false positives from queries that reason about whether a name is used, such as `py/unused-import`.
diff --git a/python/ql/test/query-tests/Imports/unused/UnusedImport.expected b/python/ql/test/query-tests/Imports/unused/UnusedImport.expected
index 2f27961d92e3..801305defafd 100644
--- a/python/ql/test/query-tests/Imports/unused/UnusedImport.expected
+++ b/python/ql/test/query-tests/Imports/unused/UnusedImport.expected
@@ -6,3 +6,4 @@
 | imports_test.py:27:1:27:25 | Import | Import of 'func2' is not used. |
 | imports_test.py:34:1:34:14 | Import | Import of 'module2' is not used. |
 | imports_test.py:116:1:116:41 | Import | Import of 'not_a_fixture' is not used. |
+| relaxed_except.py:12:1:12:68 | Import | Import of 'NeverUsed' is not used. |
diff --git a/python/ql/test/query-tests/Imports/unused/relaxed_except.py b/python/ql/test/query-tests/Imports/unused/relaxed_except.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..0f1f29d71ceb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/python/ql/test/query-tests/Imports/unused/relaxed_except.py
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+# PEP 758 allows unparenthesized exception types when there is no `as` clause.
+# Every name below is used as an exception type, so no import here is unused.
+# `NeverUsed` is imported and never used, and is the one expected result.
+#
+# Each name appears in exactly one clause on purpose: a name that also appeared
+# in a parenthesized clause would be a use regardless, and would mask the
+# behaviour under test.
+#
+# This file deliberately contains no `except A, B, C:` clause. Three or more
+# unparenthesized types fail the default parser, which sends the whole file to
+# the tree-sitter parser and would likewise mask it.
+from relaxed_except_defs import Alpha, Beta, Delta, Gamma, NeverUsed
+
+
+def unparenthesized():
+    try:
+        pass
+    except Alpha, Beta:
+        raise
+
+
+def parenthesized():
+    try:
+        pass
+    except (Gamma, Delta):
+        raise
diff --git a/python/ql/test/query-tests/Imports/unused/relaxed_except_defs.py b/python/ql/test/query-tests/Imports/unused/relaxed_except_defs.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..1c6e63828666
--- /dev/null
+++ b/python/ql/test/query-tests/Imports/unused/relaxed_except_defs.py
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+class Alpha(Exception):
+    pass
+
+
+class Beta(Exception):
+    pass
+
+
+class Gamma(Exception):
+    pass
+
+
+class Delta(Exception):
+    pass
+
+
+class Epsilon(Exception):
+    pass
+
+
+class NeverUsed(Exception):
+    pass
+
+
+class Zeta(Exception):
+    pass
diff --git a/python/ql/test/query-tests/Imports/unused/relaxed_except_long.py b/python/ql/test/query-tests/Imports/unused/relaxed_except_long.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..cadecb48cd3c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/python/ql/test/query-tests/Imports/unused/relaxed_except_long.py
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+# Three or more unparenthesized exception types. These fail the default parser
+# and are extracted by the tree-sitter parser instead; all names are still uses.
+from relaxed_except_defs import Delta, Epsilon, Gamma, Zeta
+
+
+def three():
+    try:
+        pass
+    except Gamma, Delta, Epsilon:
+        raise
+
+
+def four():
+    try:
+        pass
+    except Gamma, Delta, Epsilon, Zeta:
+        raise