diff --git a/src/optional/python-bindings/Makefile.am b/src/optional/python-bindings/Makefile.am
index 91de579a46..ff68551b2d 100644
--- a/src/optional/python-bindings/Makefile.am
+++ b/src/optional/python-bindings/Makefile.am
@@ -40,9 +40,7 @@ _gnucash_core_c_la_LIBADD = \
   ${GLADE_LIBS} \
   ${top_builddir}/src/libqof/qof/libgnc-qof.la \
   ${top_builddir}/src/gnc-module/libgnc-module.la \
-  ${top_builddir}/src/engine/libgncmod-engine.la \
-  ${top_builddir}/src/backend/xml/libgncmod-backend-xml.la \
-  ${top_builddir}/src/backend/dbi/libgncmod-backend-dbi.la
+  ${top_builddir}/src/engine/libgncmod-engine.la
 if BUILDING_FROM_SVN
 _gnucash_core_c_includes= \
 	${top_builddir}/config.h \
diff --git a/src/optional/python-bindings/gnucash_core.i b/src/optional/python-bindings/gnucash_core.i
index 57cca55caa..2b8a6a2a36 100644
--- a/src/optional/python-bindings/gnucash_core.i
+++ b/src/optional/python-bindings/gnucash_core.i
@@ -38,8 +38,6 @@
 #include "guid.h"
 #include "gnc-module/gnc-module.h"
 #include "engine/gnc-engine.h"
-#include "backend/xml/gnc-backend-xml.h"
-#include "backend/dbi/gnc-backend-dbi.h"
 #include "Transaction.h"
 #include "Split.h"
 #include "Account.h"
@@ -185,10 +183,6 @@ qof_log_init();
 qof_init();
 gnc_module_system_init();
 char * no_args[1] = { NULL };
-gnc_engine_init_static(0, no_args);
-
-
-gnc_module_init_backend_xml();
-gnc_module_init_backend_dbi();
+gnc_engine_init(0, no_args);
 %}
 
diff --git a/src/optional/python-bindings/gnucash_core.py b/src/optional/python-bindings/gnucash_core.py
index 4970e456db..58b1d345d7 100644
--- a/src/optional/python-bindings/gnucash_core.py
+++ b/src/optional/python-bindings/gnucash_core.py
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ class Session(GnuCashCoreClass):
     Invoice..) is associated with a particular book where it is stored.
     """
 
-    def __init__(self, book_uri=None, is_new=False, ignore_lock=False, 
+    def __init__(self, book_uri=None, ignore_lock=False, is_new=False, 
                  force_new= False):
         """A convienent contructor that allows you to specify a book URI,
         begin the session, and load the book.