diff --git a/webnotes/install_lib/setup_public_folder.py b/webnotes/install_lib/setup_public_folder.py
index b89f72a4c4..9e4958e9a2 100644
--- a/webnotes/install_lib/setup_public_folder.py
+++ b/webnotes/install_lib/setup_public_folder.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 # make public folders
 
+from __future__ import unicode_literals
 import os
 
 def make():
diff --git a/webnotes/model/controller.py b/webnotes/model/controller.py
index 51794bfcc4..c069209c9d 100644
--- a/webnotes/model/controller.py
+++ b/webnotes/model/controller.py
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
 # OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
 # 
 
+from __future__ import unicode_literals
 """
 Transactions are defined as collection of classes, a DocList represents collection of Document
 objects for a transaction with main and children.
diff --git a/webnotes/utils/datautils.py b/webnotes/utils/datautils.py
index d371a4187c..82d1d276ff 100644
--- a/webnotes/utils/datautils.py
+++ b/webnotes/utils/datautils.py
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
 # OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
 #
 
+from __future__ import unicode_literals
 def read_csv_content_from_uploaded_file():
 	import csv
 	import webnotes
diff --git a/webnotes/utils/dateutils.py b/webnotes/utils/dateutils.py
index f618db314a..b2281a84d8 100644
--- a/webnotes/utils/dateutils.py
+++ b/webnotes/utils/dateutils.py
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
 # OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
 #
 
+from __future__ import unicode_literals
 import webnotes
 
 user_date_format = None