diff --git a/Cython/__init__.py b/Cython/__init__.py
index 9b7f752745a..549246b8a37 100644
--- a/Cython/__init__.py
+++ b/Cython/__init__.py
@@ -1,10 +1,12 @@
-from Cython.Shadow import __version__
+from __future__ import absolute_import
+
+from .Shadow import __version__
 
 # Void cython.* directives (for case insensitive operating systems).
-from Cython.Shadow import *
+from .Shadow import *
 
 
 def load_ipython_extension(ip):
     """Load the extension in IPython."""
-    from Cython.Build.IpythonMagic import CythonMagics  # pylint: disable=cyclic-import
+    from .Build.IpythonMagic import CythonMagics  # pylint: disable=cyclic-import
     ip.register_magics(CythonMagics)