diff --git a/sickbeard/classes.py b/sickbeard/classes.py
index e60074bb..418042c4 100644
--- a/sickbeard/classes.py
+++ b/sickbeard/classes.py
@@ -163,9 +163,9 @@ class AllShowsListUI:
                         continue
 
                     if 'seriesname' in curShow:
-                        seriesnames.append(str(curShow['seriesname']))
+                        seriesnames.append(unicode(curShow['seriesname']))
                     if 'aliasnames' in curShow:
-                        seriesnames.extend(str(curShow['aliasnames']).split('|'))
+                        seriesnames.extend(unicode(curShow['aliasnames']).split('|'))
                         
                     for name in seriesnames:
                         if searchterm.lower() in name.lower():