diff --git a/freqtrade/optimize/__init__.py b/freqtrade/optimize/__init__.py
index 8d5350fe5..5591898fa 100644
--- a/freqtrade/optimize/__init__.py
+++ b/freqtrade/optimize/__init__.py
@@ -1,7 +1,13 @@
 # pragma pylint: disable=missing-docstring
 
 import gzip
-import json
+try:
+    import ujson as json
+    _UJSON = True
+except ImportError:
+    # see mypy/issues/1153
+    import json  # type: ignore
+    _UJSON = False
 import logging
 import os
 from typing import Optional, List, Dict, Tuple, Any
@@ -14,6 +20,14 @@ from freqtrade.arguments import TimeRange
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
+def json_load(data):
+    """Try to load data with ujson"""
+    if _UJSON:
+        return json.load(data, precise_float=True)
+    else:
+        return json.load(data)
+
+
 def trim_tickerlist(tickerlist: List[Dict], timerange: TimeRange) -> List[Dict]:
     if not tickerlist:
         return tickerlist