diff --git a/notebook/services/contents/manager.py b/notebook/services/contents/manager.py
index 3f1a67241..df2eaa638 100644
--- a/notebook/services/contents/manager.py
+++ b/notebook/services/contents/manager.py
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ class ContentsManager(LoggingConfigurable):
         Glob patterns to hide in file and directory listings.
     """)
 
-    untitled_notebook = Unicode(_("Untitled"), config=True,
+    untitled_notebook = Unicode("Untitled", config=True,
         help="The base name used when creating untitled notebooks."
     )