diff --git a/python/drv_libxml2.py b/python/drv_libxml2.py
index 71b1c67d..363c6f81 100644
--- a/python/drv_libxml2.py
+++ b/python/drv_libxml2.py
@@ -146,7 +146,10 @@ class LibXml2Reader(xmlreader.XMLReader):
                 reader = libxml2.newTextReaderFilename(source)
             else:
                 source = saxutils.prepare_input_source(source)
-                input = libxml2.inputBuffer(source.getByteStream())
+                stream = source.getCharacterStream()
+                if stream is None:
+                    stream = source.getByteStream()
+                input = libxml2.inputBuffer(stream)
                 reader = input.newTextReader(source.getSystemId())
             reader.SetErrorHandler(self._errorHandler,None)
             # configure reader