diff --git a/gui/gtk.py b/gui/gtk.py
index 9b0806b9..435b9c7d 100644
--- a/gui/gtk.py
+++ b/gui/gtk.py
@@ -16,6 +16,9 @@
 # You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 # along with this program. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
+# use this because this file is named gtk.py
+from __future__ import absolute_import
+
 import datetime
 import thread, time, ast, sys, re
 import socket, traceback