diff --git a/python/gtsam_py/python/__init__.py b/python/gtsam_py/python/__init__.py
index 9e3e19187..ee00905cf 100644
--- a/python/gtsam_py/python/__init__.py
+++ b/python/gtsam_py/python/__init__.py
@@ -1,9 +1,23 @@
 from .gtsam import *
 
-def Point2(x=0, y=0):
-    import numpy as np
-    return np.array([x, y], dtype=float)
 
-def Point3(x=0, y=0, z=0):
+def _init():
     import numpy as np
-    return np.array([x, y, z], dtype=float)
+
+    global Point2  # export function
+
+    def Point2(x=0, y=0):
+        return np.array([x, y], dtype=float)
+
+    global Point3  # export function
+
+    def Point3(x=0, y=0, z=0):
+        return np.array([x, y, z], dtype=float)
+
+    # for interactive debugging
+    if __name__ == "__main__":
+        # we want all definitions accessible
+        globals().update(locals())
+
+
+_init()