diff --git a/bitkeylib/__init__.py b/bitkeylib/__init__.py
index 2175ebde9..ec9cbc659 100644
--- a/bitkeylib/__init__.py
+++ b/bitkeylib/__init__.py
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 try:
-    import bitkey_pb2
+    import bitkey_pb2 as proto
 except ImportError:
     print "bitkey_pb2.py not found. Please run /protobuf/build.sh to generate it!"
     import sys