diff --git a/python/quip.py b/python/quip.py
index 92bb7e6..f07df10 100644
--- a/python/quip.py
+++ b/python/quip.py
@@ -293,7 +293,7 @@ def new_chat(self, message, title=None, member_ids=[]):
             "member_ids": ",".join(member_ids),
         })
 
-    def new_document(self, content, format="html", title=None, member_ids=[]):
+    def new_document(self, content, type="document", format="html", title=None, member_ids=[]):
         """Creates a new document from the given content.
 
         To create a document in a folder, include the folder ID in the list
@@ -308,6 +308,7 @@ def new_document(self, content, format="html", title=None, member_ids=[]):
             "content": content,
             "format": format,
             "title": title,
+            "type": type,
             "member_ids": ",".join(member_ids),
         })