diff --git a/rowers/views.py b/rowers/views.py
index 7b8296e5..c7ded93e 100644
--- a/rowers/views.py
+++ b/rowers/views.py
@@ -7806,7 +7806,7 @@ def workout_comment_view(request,id=0):
                 url = url,
             )
             if request.user != r.user:    
-                a_messages.info(r.user,message)
+                a_messages.info(r.user,message.encode('ascii','ignore'))
 
             res = myqueue(queuehigh,
                           handle_sendemailnewcomment,r.user.first_name,