diff --git a/extra/release.py b/extra/release.py
index 6d1720f82..2d57e2cfc 100755
--- a/extra/release.py
+++ b/extra/release.py
@@ -1,8 +1,6 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env python3
 """A utility script for automating the beets release process.
 """
-from __future__ import division, absolute_import, print_function
-
 import click
 import os
 import re
@@ -289,7 +287,7 @@ def prep():
     # FIXME It should be possible to specify this as an argument.
     version_parts = [int(n) for n in cur_version.split('.')]
     version_parts[-1] += 1
-    next_version = u'.'.join(map(unicode, version_parts))
+    next_version = u'.'.join(map(str, version_parts))
     bump_version(next_version)