diff --git a/src/ifcopenshell-python/ifcopenshell/file.py b/src/ifcopenshell-python/ifcopenshell/file.py
index 53513cfb05..66894bc2a1 100644
--- a/src/ifcopenshell-python/ifcopenshell/file.py
+++ b/src/ifcopenshell-python/ifcopenshell/file.py
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 # You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public License
 # along with IfcOpenShell.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
-
+from __future__ import annotations
 import os
 import re
 import numbers