diff --git a/python/samba/compat.py b/python/samba/compat.py
index dfdfb7dd81e..667a1a443b1 100644
--- a/python/samba/compat.py
+++ b/python/samba/compat.py
@@ -23,5 +23,7 @@ PY3 = sys.version_info[0] == 3
 
 if PY3:
     integer_types = int,
+    text_type = str
 else:
     integer_types = (int, long)
+    text_type = unicode