diff --git a/xos/core/models/attic/xosbase_model.py b/xos/core/models/attic/xosbase_model.py
index 094c466..624426e 100644
--- a/xos/core/models/attic/xosbase_model.py
+++ b/xos/core/models/attic/xosbase_model.py
@@ -131,6 +131,15 @@
 
     return d
 
+# for the old django admin UI
+def __unicode__(self):
+    if hasattr(self, "name") and self.name:
+        return u'%s' % self.name
+    elif hasattr(self, "id") and self.id:
+        return u'%s-%s' % (self.__class__.__name__, self.id)
+    else:
+        return u'%s-unsaved' % self.__class__.__name__
+
 def get_content_type_key(self):
     ct = ContentType.objects.get_for_model(self.__class__)
     return "%s.%s" % (ct.app_label, ct.model)