diff --git a/python/typewrappers.h b/python/typewrappers.h
index 305d594401..70c15d9f9d 100644
--- a/python/typewrappers.h
+++ b/python/typewrappers.h
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 /*
  * libvirt_wrap.h: type wrappers for libvir python bindings
  *
- * Copyright (C) 2005 Red Hat, Inc.
+ * Copyright (C) 2005, 2011 Red Hat, Inc.
  *
  * Daniel Veillard <veillard@redhat.com>
  */
@@ -21,6 +21,11 @@
 # define ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED
 #endif
 
+/* Work around really old python.  */
+#if PY_MAJOR_VERSION == 2 && PY_MINOR_VERSION < 7
+typedef ssize_t Py_ssize_t;
+#endif
+
 #define PyvirConnect_Get(v) (((v) == Py_None) ? NULL : \
         (((PyvirConnect_Object *)(v))->obj))