diff --git a/r2/r2/models/account.py b/r2/r2/models/account.py
index ac8b2c69d..8cefb2f87 100644
--- a/r2/r2/models/account.py
+++ b/r2/r2/models/account.py
@@ -570,7 +570,7 @@ class Account(Thing):
         return which.get(canon, None)
 
     def canonical_email(self):
-        email = str(self.email.lower())
+        email = self.email.lower().encode('utf-8')
         if email.count("@") != 1:
             return "invalid@invalid.invalid"