diff --git a/pandora/item/models.py b/pandora/item/models.py
index a1b9653c4..62c5dc242 100644
--- a/pandora/item/models.py
+++ b/pandora/item/models.py
@@ -777,7 +777,7 @@ class Item(models.Model):
         #sort keys based on database, these will always be available
         s.itemId = self.itemId.replace('0x', 'xx')
         if not settings.USE_IMDB:
-            s.itemId = ox.sort_string(ox.fromAZ(s.itemId)) 
+            s.itemId = ox.sort_string(str(ox.fromAZ(s.itemId)))
         s.modified = self.modified
         s.created = self.created
         s.rightslevel = self.level