diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index 1b065c85..bfa92e85 100644
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@
 
 dist = setup(
     name='stone',
-    version='2.2.0',
+    version='2.2.1',
     install_requires=install_reqs,
     setup_requires=setup_requires,
     tests_require=test_reqs,
diff --git a/stone/backends/python_types.py b/stone/backends/python_types.py
index e1498699..322a129e 100644
--- a/stone/backends/python_types.py
+++ b/stone/backends/python_types.py
@@ -124,6 +124,8 @@ def _generate_base_namespace_module(self, api, namespace):
             self.emit('"""')
             self.emit()
 
+        self.emit("from __future__ import unicode_literals")
+
         self.emit_raw(validators_import)
 
         # Generate import statements for all referenced namespaces.