diff --git a/src/config.py b/src/config.py
index f35d27e73..655e2f946 100644
--- a/src/config.py
+++ b/src/config.py
@@ -2519,7 +2519,7 @@ class AccountCreationWizardWindow:
 				jid = helpers.parse_jid(jid)
 			except helpers.InvalidFormat, s:
 				pritext = _('Invalid User ID')
-				dialogs.ErrorDialog(pritext, s).get_response()
+				dialogs.ErrorDialog(pritext, str(s)).get_response()
 				return
 
 			username, server = gajim.get_room_name_and_server_from_room_jid(jid)
diff --git a/src/dialogs.py b/src/dialogs.py
index da3a67ee1..93ebc386e 100644
--- a/src/dialogs.py
+++ b/src/dialogs.py
@@ -360,7 +360,7 @@ _('Please fill in the data of the contact you want to add in account %s') %accou
 			jid = helpers.parse_jid(jid)
 		except helpers.InvalidFormat, s:
 			pritext = _('Invalid User ID')
-			ErrorDialog(pritext, s).get_response()
+			ErrorDialog(pritext, str(s)).get_response()
 			return
 
 		# Check if jid is already in roster