diff --git a/sat_frontends/quick_frontend/quick_chat.py b/sat_frontends/quick_frontend/quick_chat.py
index 122128a9..bd40c5fd 100644
--- a/sat_frontends/quick_frontend/quick_chat.py
+++ b/sat_frontends/quick_frontend/quick_chat.py
@@ -564,7 +564,7 @@ class QuickChat(quick_widgets.QuickWidget):
         Once state is retrieved, default messageEncryptionStarted will be called if
         suitable
         """
-        self.host.bridge.messageEncryptionGet(self.target, self.profile,
+        self.host.bridge.messageEncryptionGet(unicode(self.target), self.profile,
                                               callback=self.messageEncryptionGetCb,
                                               errback=self.messageEncryptionGetEb)