diff --git a/mercurial/util.py b/mercurial/util.py
new file mode 100644
--- /dev/null
+++ b/mercurial/util.py
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+# util.py - utility functions and platform specfic implementations
+#
+# Copyright 2005 K. Thananchayan <thananck@yahoo.com>
+#
+# This software may be used and distributed according to the terms
+# of the GNU General Public License, incorporated herein by reference.
+
+import os
+
+if os.name == 'nt':
+    def pconvert(path):
+        return path.replace("\\", "/")
+else:
+    def pconvert(path):
+        return path
+