diff --git a/bindings/python/src/filesystem.cpp b/bindings/python/src/filesystem.cpp
index a5def7ea2..3c5badb8e 100755
--- a/bindings/python/src/filesystem.cpp
+++ b/bindings/python/src/filesystem.cpp
@@ -44,6 +44,8 @@ void bind_filesystem()
     to_python_converter<boost::filesystem::path, path_to_python>();
     path_from_python();
 
-    boost::filesystem::path::default_name_check(boost::filesystem::native);
+    using namespace boost::filesystem;
+    if (path::default_name_check_writable())
+        path::default_name_check(no_check);
 }
 
diff --git a/bindings/python/src/session.cpp b/bindings/python/src/session.cpp
index 51345ad91..f801452de 100755
--- a/bindings/python/src/session.cpp
+++ b/bindings/python/src/session.cpp
@@ -201,6 +201,8 @@ void bind_session()
         .def("add_extension", &add_extension)
         ;
 
+    def("supports_sparse_files", &supports_sparse_files);
+
     register_ptr_to_python<std::auto_ptr<alert> >();
 }