diff --git a/folium/map.py b/folium/map.py
index 908eac214..af63eac9e 100644
--- a/folium/map.py
+++ b/folium/map.py
@@ -137,6 +137,8 @@ def __init__(self, location=None, width='100%', height='100%',
                                            maxBounds: bounds,
                                            layers: []
                                          });
+
+            var scale = L.control.scale().addTo({{this.get_name()}});
         {% endmacro %}
         """)