diff --git a/bindings/python/mapnik/__init__.py b/bindings/python/mapnik/__init__.py
index 61ac36f63..a56cbffdf 100644
--- a/bindings/python/mapnik/__init__.py
+++ b/bindings/python/mapnik/__init__.py
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ class _Envelope(Envelope,_injector):
                (self.minx,self.miny,self.maxx,self.maxy)
 
 def Layer (**keywords):
-    return _Layer(keywords)
+    return CreateLayer(keywords)
     
     
 #register datasources
diff --git a/bindings/python/mapnik_layer.cpp b/bindings/python/mapnik_layer.cpp
index bd82c22f7..804c9c191 100644
--- a/bindings/python/mapnik_layer.cpp
+++ b/bindings/python/mapnik_layer.cpp
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ namespace
 {
     //user-friendly wrapper that uses Python dictionary
     using namespace boost::python;
-    _Layer create_layer(const dict& d)
+    Layer create_layer(const dict& d)
     {
 	parameters params;
 	boost::python::list keys=d.keys();
@@ -114,5 +114,5 @@ void export_layer()
 		      (&Layer::styles,return_value_policy<reference_existing_object>()))
         .def_pickle(layer_pickle_suite())
         ;
-    def("_Layer",&create_layer);
+    def("CreateLayer",&create_layer);
 }