diff --git a/base/univention-python/modules/password.py b/base/univention-python/modules/password.py
index 157d3001c1..a6214cc828 100644
--- a/base/univention-python/modules/password.py
+++ b/base/univention-python/modules/password.py
@@ -69,8 +69,8 @@ class Check:
 			cracklib.LOW_CREDIT = int(self.ConfigRegistry.get('password/quality/credit/lower', '0')) * -1
 		if self.ConfigRegistry.get('password/quality/credit/other', '0'):
 			cracklib.OTH_CREDIT = int(self.ConfigRegistry.get('password/quality/credit/other', '0')) * -1
-		self.forbidden_chars = self.ConfigRegistry.get('password/quality/forbidden/chars', '')
-		self.required_chars = self.ConfigRegistry.get('password/quality/required/chars', '')
+		self.forbidden_chars = self.ConfigRegistry.get('password/quality/forbidden/chars', '').decode('utf-8')
+		self.required_chars = self.ConfigRegistry.get('password/quality/required/chars', '').decode('utf-8')
 
 		# to be compatible with UCS 2.3 kerberos check_cracklib.py
 		if self.ConfigRegistry.get('password/quality/length/min', None):