diff --git a/pagure/internal/__init__.py b/pagure/internal/__init__.py
index 79f56f9..c62cee8 100644
--- a/pagure/internal/__init__.py
+++ b/pagure/internal/__init__.py
@@ -227,12 +227,12 @@ def mergeable_request_pull():
             domerge=False)
     except pygit2.GitError as err:
         response = flask.jsonify({
-            'code': 'CONFLICTS', 'message': err.message})
+            'code': 'CONFLICTS', 'message': '%s' % err})
         response.status_code = 409
         return response
     except pagure.exceptions.PagureException as err:
         response = flask.jsonify({
-            'code': 'CONFLICTS', 'message': err.message})
+            'code': 'CONFLICTS', 'message': '%s' % err})
         response.status_code = 500
         return response