diff --git a/oml/item/api.py b/oml/item/api.py
index 0fd7a6a..4493233 100644
--- a/oml/item/api.py
+++ b/oml/item/api.py
@@ -168,6 +168,7 @@ def remove(data):
     '''
     if 'ids' in data and data['ids']:
         for i in models.Item.query.filter(models.Item.id.in_(data['ids'])):
+            logger.info('remove item %s', i)
             i.remove_file()
     state.cache.clear('group:')
     return {
diff --git a/oml/item/scan.py b/oml/item/scan.py
index d2f3fa6..8161203 100644
--- a/oml/item/scan.py
+++ b/oml/item/scan.py
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import os
 import shutil
 import stat
 import time
+import unicodedata
 
 import ox
 
@@ -31,6 +32,7 @@ def remove_missing(books=None):
     prefix = get_prefix()
     if books is None:
         books = collect_books(prefix)
+    books = [unicodedata.normalize('NFD', path) for path in books]
     with db.session():
         if os.path.exists(prefix):
             logger.debug('scan for removed files')
@@ -40,6 +42,8 @@ def remove_missing(books=None):
                 if state.shutdown:
                     return
                 path = f.fullpath()
+                path = unicode
+                path = unicodedata.normalize('NFD', path)
                 db_paths.append(path)
                 if f.item:
                     items[path] = f.sha1