diff --git a/neutron_lib/__init__.py b/neutron_lib/__init__.py
index 1f79bbc32..71c0e69eb 100644
--- a/neutron_lib/__init__.py
+++ b/neutron_lib/__init__.py
@@ -10,10 +10,21 @@
 # License for the specific language governing permissions and limitations
 # under the License.
 
+import gettext
+
 import pbr.version
+import six
 
 from neutron_lib.db import api  # noqa
 
+
+if six.PY2:
+    # pylint: disable=unexpected-keyword-arg
+    gettext.install('neutron_lib', unicode=1)
+else:
+    gettext.install('neutron_lib')
+
+
 # NOTE(boden): neutron_lib.db.api is imported to ensure the ORM event listeners
 # are registered upon importing any neutron-lib module. For more details see
 # defect https://bugs.launchpad.net/networking-ovn/+bug/1802369