diff --git a/tools/python/jwutils/misc.py b/tools/python/jwutils/misc.py
index 9ad44e4..8800211 100644
--- a/tools/python/jwutils/misc.py
+++ b/tools/python/jwutils/misc.py
@@ -37,4 +37,13 @@ def atomic_store(contents, path): # export
     os.rename(name, path)
     _tmpfiles.remove(name)
 
+# see https://stackoverflow.com/questions/2020014
+def object_builtin_name(o, full=True): # export
+    #if not full:
+    #    return o.__class__.__name__
+    module = o.__class__.__module__
+    if module is None or module == str.__class__.__module__:
+        return o.__class__.__name__  # Avoid reporting __builtin__
+    return module + '.' + o.__class__.__name__
+
 atexit.register(_cleanup)