diff --git a/python/ycm/paths.py b/python/ycm/paths.py
index e23522a3..b215f8a7 100644
--- a/python/ycm/paths.py
+++ b/python/ycm/paths.py
@@ -29,10 +29,10 @@ import vim
 import functools
 import re
 
+# Can't import these from setup.py because it makes nosetests go crazy.
 DIR_OF_CURRENT_SCRIPT = os.path.dirname( os.path.abspath( __file__ ) )
 DIR_OF_YCMD = os.path.join( DIR_OF_CURRENT_SCRIPT, '..', '..', 'third_party',
                             'ycmd' )
-
 WIN_PYTHON_PATH = os.path.join( sys.exec_prefix, 'python.exe' )
 PYTHON_BINARY_REGEX = re.compile( r'python(2(\.[67])?)?(.exe)?$' )
 
diff --git a/python/ycm/setup.py b/python/ycm/setup.py
index 8fadccfd..7f09c71d 100644
--- a/python/ycm/setup.py
+++ b/python/ycm/setup.py
@@ -15,25 +15,36 @@
 # You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 # along with YouCompleteMe.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
+from __future__ import unicode_literals
+from __future__ import print_function
+from __future__ import division
+from __future__ import absolute_import
+# No imports from `future` because when this is loaded, sys.path hasn't been set
+# up yet!
+
 import sys
 import os
-import paths
+
+# Can't import these from paths.py because that uses `future` imports
+DIR_OF_CURRENT_SCRIPT = os.path.dirname( os.path.abspath( __file__ ) )
+DIR_OF_YCMD = os.path.join( DIR_OF_CURRENT_SCRIPT, '..', '..', 'third_party',
+                            'ycmd' )
 
 
 def SetUpSystemPaths():
-  sys.path.insert( 0, os.path.join( paths.DIR_OF_YCMD ) )
+  sys.path.insert( 0, os.path.join( DIR_OF_YCMD ) )
 
   from ycmd import server_utils as su
-  su.AddNearestThirdPartyFoldersToSysPath( paths.DIR_OF_CURRENT_SCRIPT )
+  su.AddNearestThirdPartyFoldersToSysPath( DIR_OF_CURRENT_SCRIPT )
   # We need to import ycmd's third_party folders as well since we import and
   # use ycmd code in the client.
   su.AddNearestThirdPartyFoldersToSysPath( su.__file__ )
 
 
 def SetUpYCM():
-  import base
+  from ycm import base, paths
   from ycmd import user_options_store, utils
-  from youcompleteme import YouCompleteMe
+  from ycm.youcompleteme import YouCompleteMe
 
   base.LoadJsonDefaultsIntoVim()