diff --git a/python/podio/utils.py b/python/podio/utils.py
index def26d853..5b7221c88 100644
--- a/python/podio/utils.py
+++ b/python/podio/utils.py
@@ -1,3 +1,6 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+"""utility functionality for podio"""
+
 import os
 from collections.abc import Iterable
 from pathlib import Path