diff --git a/pym/_emerge/resolver/slot_collision.py b/pym/_emerge/resolver/slot_collision.py
index f6cf94d..347f569 100644
--- a/pym/_emerge/resolver/slot_collision.py
+++ b/pym/_emerge/resolver/slot_collision.py
@@ -3,6 +3,8 @@
 
 from __future__ import print_function
 
+import sys
+
 from _emerge.AtomArg import AtomArg
 from _emerge.Package import Package
 from _emerge.PackageArg import PackageArg
@@ -12,6 +14,9 @@
 from portage.util import writemsg
 from portage.versions import cpv_getversion, vercmp
 
+if sys.hexversion >= 0x3000000:
+	basestring = str
+
 class slot_conflict_handler(object):
 	"""This class keeps track of all slot conflicts and provides
 	an interface to get possible solutions.