diff --git a/emoticons.py b/emoticons.py
index 1e8f522..5bd1a4f 100644
--- a/emoticons.py
+++ b/emoticons.py
@@ -2,10 +2,10 @@
 
 def _emote(input_str):
     result = input_str
-    result = result.replace(":-)", u'\u263a')
-    result = result.replace(":)", u'\u263a')
-    result = result.replace(":-(", u'\u2639')
-    result = result.replace(":(", u'\u2639')
+    result = result.replace(":-)", u'\u263a'.encode("utf-8"))
+    result = result.replace(":)", u'\u263a'.encode("utf-8"))
+    result = result.replace(":-(", u'\u2639'.encode("utf-8"))
+    result = result.replace(":(", u'\u2639'.encode("utf-8"))
     return result
 
 def prof_pre_chat_message_display(jid, message):