diff --git a/pandora/item/models.py b/pandora/item/models.py
index f66e5f373..e5b6b05fb 100644
--- a/pandora/item/models.py
+++ b/pandora/item/models.py
@@ -848,7 +848,10 @@ class Item(models.Model):
                                       settings.CONFIG['itemKeys'])):
                     current_values += self.get(k, [])
             if not isinstance(current_values, list):
-                current_values = [unicode(current_values)]
+                if not current_values:
+                    current_values = []
+                else:
+                    current_values = [unicode(current_values)]
             current_values = list(set(current_values))
             saved_values = [i.value for i in Facet.objects.filter(item=self, key=key)]
             removed_values = filter(lambda i: i not in current_values, saved_values)
diff --git a/pandora/person/models.py b/pandora/person/models.py
index 4bfb882ca..114299568 100644
--- a/pandora/person/models.py
+++ b/pandora/person/models.py
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ class Person(models.Model):
 
 def update_sort_name():
     for p in Person.objects.all():
-        _sortname = ox.get_sort_name(p.name)
+        _sortname = ox.get_sort_name(p.name).lower()
         _sortname = unicodedata.normalize('NFKD', _sortname)
         if (not p.edited and _sortname != p.sortname) or \
            (p.edited and _sortname == p.sortname):