diff --git a/gzipstream/gzipstreamfile.py b/gzipstream/gzipstreamfile.py
index 31b3c71..3de6530 100644
--- a/gzipstream/gzipstreamfile.py
+++ b/gzipstream/gzipstreamfile.py
@@ -55,6 +55,10 @@ def readable(self):
     # io.BufferedReader needs us to appear readable
     return True
 
+  def _checkReadable(self):
+    # similar to readable(), needed for python 2.6
+    return True
+
 
 class GzipStreamFile(io.BufferedReader):
   def __init__(self, stream):