except.py

next_item = Word()
# next_item is either a Word object, which has .is_type(), or it's None

if next_item is None:
    # code for situation A
elif next_item.is_type('something'):
    # code for situation B
elif next_item.is_type('something_else'):
    # code for situation C
else:
    # code for situation A

# is there any way I can neatly combine the two situation A?
# I don't want to repeat myself. if I put the 'is None' statement below, it will raise an AttributeError on None.