diff --git a/pandora/entity/models.py b/pandora/entity/models.py
index 24c6038ec..6e8ae8286 100644
--- a/pandora/entity/models.py
+++ b/pandora/entity/models.py
@@ -46,6 +46,8 @@ class Entity(models.Model):
     def save(self, *args, **kwargs):
         entity = get_by_id(settings.CONFIG['entities'], self.type)
         if entity.get('sortType') == 'person' and self.name:
+            if isinstance(self.name, str):
+                self.name = self.name.decode('utf-8')
             self.name_sort = get_name_sort(self.name)[:255].lower()
         else:
             self.name_sort = ox.sort_string(self.name or u'')[:255].lower() or None