diff --git a/dataset/freeze/app.py b/dataset/freeze/app.py
index dee4404..be6a7d5 100644
--- a/dataset/freeze/app.py
+++ b/dataset/freeze/app.py
@@ -26,6 +26,8 @@ def freeze(database, query, format='csv', filename='freeze.csv',
     assignment, and file name templating to dump each record (or a set
     of records) into individual files.
     """
+    if isinstance(database, (str, unicode)):
+        database = Database(database)
     kw.update({
         'database': database,
         'query': query,
@@ -42,7 +44,7 @@ def freeze(database, query, format='csv', filename='freeze.csv',
 
 def freeze_export(export):
     try:
-        database = Database(export.get('database'))
+        database = export.get('database')
         query = database.query(export.get('query'))
         serializer_cls = get_serializer(export)
         serializer = serializer_cls(export, query)