diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/dialogs/tag_editor.py b/src/calibre/gui2/dialogs/tag_editor.py
index f49b5bc88e..3c79b60b38 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/dialogs/tag_editor.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/dialogs/tag_editor.py
@@ -173,9 +173,9 @@ class TagEditor(QDialog, Ui_TagEditor):
     # do the filtering on the available tags
     def filter_available(self, filter_value):        
         itemCount = self.available_tags.count()
-        l_filter_value = str(filter_value).lower()
+        l_filter_value = unicode(filter_value).lower()
         for i in range(0, itemCount): # on every available tag
-            if l_filter_value in str(self.available_tags.item(i).text()).lower():
+            if l_filter_value in unicode(self.available_tags.item(i).text()).lower():
                 # if contains the filter text, then show it
                 self.available_tags.item(i).setHidden(False)
             else:
@@ -185,9 +185,9 @@ class TagEditor(QDialog, Ui_TagEditor):
     # do the filtering on the applied tags
     def filter_applied(self, filter_value):
         itemCount = self.applied_tags.count()
-        l_filter_value = str(filter_value).lower()
+        l_filter_value = unicode(filter_value).lower()
         for i in range(0, itemCount): # on every applied tag
-            if l_filter_value in str(self.applied_tags.item(i).text()).lower():
+            if l_filter_value in unicode(self.applied_tags.item(i).text()).lower():
                 # if contains the filter text, then show it
                 self.applied_tags.item(i).setHidden(False)
             else: