diff --git a/src/main.py b/src/main.py
index 4fa53cd..36e8c3a 100644
--- a/src/main.py
+++ b/src/main.py
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ def add_awards():
 
 @app.route('/add_award')
 def add_award():
-    name = b.request.params.get('award_name')
+    name = b.request.params.getunicode('award_name')
     award_capacity = b.request.params.get('award_capacity')
     if None in (name, award_capacity):
         b.abort(403)