diff --git a/ddportfolioservice/model/urlbuilder.py b/ddportfolioservice/model/urlbuilder.py
index 9940a5b..e5cd8ff 100644
--- a/ddportfolioservice/model/urlbuilder.py
+++ b/ddportfolioservice/model/urlbuilder.py
@@ -40,8 +40,9 @@ def build_urls(fields):
     fields."""
     data = {}
     errors = {}
-    qfields = dict([(key, quote_plus(fields[key])) for key in fields])
-    fpr = keyfinder.getFingerprintByEmail(str(fields['email']))
+    qfields = dict([(key, quote_plus(fields[key].encode('utf8'))) \
+                        for key in fields])
+    fpr = keyfinder.getFingerprintByEmail(fields['email'].encode('utf8'))
     if fpr:
         qfields['gpgfp'] = fpr[0]
     for section in my_config.sections():