diff --git a/src/PaperMenu.py b/src/PaperMenu.py
index f923a2fef..798fa29f3 100644
--- a/src/PaperMenu.py
+++ b/src/PaperMenu.py
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ import gtk
 import TextDoc
 import GrampsCfg
 import const
+import Utils
 from intl import gettext as _
 
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -110,8 +111,8 @@ class PageSizeParser(handler.ContentHandler):
     def startElement(self,tag,attrs):
         if tag == "page":
             name = attrs['name']
-            height = float(attrs['height'])
-            width = float(attrs['width'])
+            height = Utils.gfloat(attrs['height'])
+            width = Utils.gfloat(attrs['width'])
             self.paper_list.append(TextDoc.PaperStyle(name,height,width))
 
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/src/TextDoc.py b/src/TextDoc.py
index aa359e964..04861bf24 100644
--- a/src/TextDoc.py
+++ b/src/TextDoc.py
@@ -63,6 +63,7 @@ __version__ = "Revision:$"
 #
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 import os
+import Utils
 
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
@@ -776,9 +777,9 @@ class StyleSheetList:
                 f.write('underline="%d" ' % font.get_underline())
                 f.write('color="#%02x%02x%02x"/>\n' % font.get_color())
                 f.write('<para ')
-                rm = float(p.get_right_margin())
-                lm = float(p.get_left_margin())
-                fi = float(p.get_first_indent())
+                rm = Utils.gfloat(p.get_right_margin())
+                lm = Utils.gfloat(p.get_left_margin())
+                fi = Utils.gfloat(p.get_first_indent())
                 f.write('rmargin="%.3f" ' % rm)
                 f.write('lmargin="%.3f" ' % lm)
                 f.write('first="%.3f" ' % fi)
diff --git a/src/Utils.py b/src/Utils.py
index 2205480f7..d7bdbeb96 100644
--- a/src/Utils.py
+++ b/src/Utils.py
@@ -522,6 +522,16 @@ def set_titles(window,title,t,msg=None):
     else:
         window.set_title('%s - GRAMPS' % t)
 
+def gfloat(val):
+    try:
+        return float(val)
+    except:
+        try:
+            return float(val.subst('.',','))
+        except:
+            return float(val.subst(',','.'))
+    return 0.0
+                  
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
 #  Roman numbers