--- /usr/lib/portage/pym/portage_db_template.py	2005-03-26 17:57:07.000000000 +1200
+++ portage_db_template.py	2005-05-24 14:10:00.000000000 +1200
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@
 			raise NotImplementedError("db_template.__init__ was overridden")
 
 	def check_key(self,key):
-		if (not key) or not isinstance(key, str):
+		if (not key) or not isinstance(key, basestring):
 			raise KeyError, "No key provided. key: %s" % (key)
 	
 	def clear(self):