diff --git a/pelican/tools/templates/publishconf.py.in b/pelican/tools/templates/publishconf.py.in
index 4c4f052a..d1ed994d 100755
--- a/pelican/tools/templates/publishconf.py.in
+++ b/pelican/tools/templates/publishconf.py.in
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env python
 # -*- coding: utf-8 -*- #
+from __future__ import unicode_literals
 
 # This file is only used if you use `make publish` or
 # explicitly specify it as your config file.