diff --git a/sugar/activity/activity.py b/sugar/activity/activity.py
index 9d87e9ed..146d8636 100644
--- a/sugar/activity/activity.py
+++ b/sugar/activity/activity.py
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ will need for a real activity.
 # Free Software Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place - Suite 330,
 # Boston, MA 02111-1307, USA.
 
-from gettext import gettext as _
+import gettext
 import logging
 import os
 import time
@@ -73,6 +73,8 @@ from sugar import profile
 from sugar import _sugarbaseext
 from sugar import _sugarext
 
+_ = lambda msg: gettext.dgettext('sugar', msg)
+
 SCOPE_PRIVATE = "private"
 SCOPE_INVITE_ONLY = "invite"  # shouldn't be shown in UI, it's implicit when you invite somebody
 SCOPE_NEIGHBORHOOD = "public"
@@ -289,7 +291,7 @@ class ActivityToolbox(Toolbox):
         Toolbox.__init__(self)
         
         self._activity_toolbar = ActivityToolbar(activity)
-        self.add_toolbar('Activity', self._activity_toolbar)
+        self.add_toolbar(_('Activity'), self._activity_toolbar)
         self._activity_toolbar.show()
 
     def get_activity_toolbar(self):
diff --git a/sugar/graphics/alert.py b/sugar/graphics/alert.py
index ef649b2a..7a3183b0 100644
--- a/sugar/graphics/alert.py
+++ b/sugar/graphics/alert.py
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 # Free Software Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place - Suite 330,
 # Boston, MA 02111-1307, USA.
 
-from gettext import gettext as _
+import gettext
 
 import gtk
 import gobject
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ import math
 from sugar.graphics import style
 from sugar.graphics.icon import Icon
 
+_ = lambda msg: gettext.dgettext('sugar', msg)
 
 class Alert(gtk.EventBox, gobject.GObject):
     """UI interface for Alerts