diff --git a/awx/main/models/notifications.py b/awx/main/models/notifications.py
index 8ba92b3782..31b96aa8dd 100644
--- a/awx/main/models/notifications.py
+++ b/awx/main/models/notifications.py
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ class NotificationTemplate(CommonModel):
                 setattr(self, '_saved_{}_{}'.format("config", field), value)
                 self.notification_configuration[field] = ''
             else:
-                encrypted = encrypt_field(self, 'notification_configuration', subfield=field)
+                encrypted = encrypt_field(self, 'notification_configuration', subfield=field, skip_utf8=True)
                 self.notification_configuration[field] = encrypted
                 if 'notification_configuration' not in update_fields:
                     update_fields.append('notification_configuration')
diff --git a/awx/main/tests/unit/utils/common/test_common.py b/awx/main/tests/unit/utils/common/test_common.py
index a48bbe64b3..6542d64cf0 100644
--- a/awx/main/tests/unit/utils/common/test_common.py
+++ b/awx/main/tests/unit/utils/common/test_common.py
@@ -29,6 +29,14 @@ def test_encrypt_field_with_unicode_string():
     assert common.decrypt_field(field, 'value') == value
 
 
+def test_encrypt_field_force_disable_unicode():
+    value = u"NothingSpecial"
+    field = Setting(value=value)
+    encrypted = field.value = common.encrypt_field(field, 'value', skip_utf8=True)
+    assert "UTF8" not in encrypted
+    assert common.decrypt_field(field, 'value') == value
+
+
 def test_encrypt_subfield():
     field = Setting(value={'name': 'ANSIBLE'})
     encrypted = field.value = common.encrypt_field(field, 'value', subfield='name')
diff --git a/awx/main/utils/common.py b/awx/main/utils/common.py
index e49f4d0131..49d92b5f9c 100644
--- a/awx/main/utils/common.py
+++ b/awx/main/utils/common.py
@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@ def get_encryption_key(field_name, pk=None):
     return h.digest()[:16]
 
 
-def encrypt_field(instance, field_name, ask=False, subfield=None):
+def encrypt_field(instance, field_name, ask=False, subfield=None, skip_utf8=False):
     '''
     Return content of the given instance and field name encrypted.
     '''
@@ -192,7 +192,10 @@ def encrypt_field(instance, field_name, ask=False, subfield=None):
         value = value[subfield]
     if not value or value.startswith('$encrypted$') or (ask and value == 'ASK'):
         return value
-    utf8 = type(value) == six.text_type
+    if skip_utf8:
+        utf8 = False
+    else:
+        utf8 = type(value) == six.text_type
     value = smart_str(value)
     key = get_encryption_key(field_name, getattr(instance, 'pk', None))
     cipher = AES.new(key, AES.MODE_ECB)