diff --git a/pagure/ui/filters.py b/pagure/ui/filters.py
index b05b17d..0600f81 100644
--- a/pagure/ui/filters.py
+++ b/pagure/ui/filters.py
@@ -275,6 +275,8 @@ def avatar_url(email, size=64):
     """ Template filter sorting the given branches, Fedora first then EPEL,
     then whatever is left.
     """
+    if isinstance(email, unicode):
+        email = email.encode('utf-8')
     return pagure.lib.avatar_url_from_openid(email, size)