Libertarian Gary Johnson's team is working on damage control after a big mistake on live TV.

(NBC NEWS) - Libertarian Gary Johnson's team is working on damage control after a big mistake on live TV.

He was asked on Morning Joe Thursday what he would do about Aleppo if he were elected. Here's how he answered.

JOHNSON: "And what is Aleppo?"

BARNICLE: "You're kidding."

JOHNSON: "No."

BARNICLE: "Aleppo is in Syria. It's the -- it's the epicenter of the refugee crisis."

JOHNSON: "OK, got it, got it."

BARNICLE: "OK."

Johnson responded online, saying that he's human and that he just blanked.

Former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels is actually giving him a pass on this one.

"Oh, if we were going to disqualify candidates for one comment they'd like to have back, it would be a very small debate," Daniels said.

Bill Weld, Johnson's running mate, is also playing down the criticism. Weld, speaking at Emerson College in Boston Thursday, said the two have been talking about Syria on the campaign trail.



He said "in terms of Gary forgetting the word, I don't know. I think that can happen to anybody."



The former Republican Massachusetts governor said he remains hopeful Johnson will be allowed to participate in debates alongside Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton.