diff --git a/awx/main/utils.py b/awx/main/utils.py
index 1d07e5f4f7..a800414755 100644
--- a/awx/main/utils.py
+++ b/awx/main/utils.py
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ def encrypt_field(instance, field_name, ask=False):
     value = getattr(instance, field_name)
     if not value or value.startswith('$encrypted$') or (ask and value == 'ASK'):
         return value
-    value = value.encode('utf-8')
+    value = smart_str(value)
     key = get_encryption_key(instance, field_name)
     cipher = AES.new(key, AES.MODE_ECB)
     while len(value) % cipher.block_size != 0: