diff --git a/frappe/email/queue.py b/frappe/email/queue.py
index e5630bc88e..e48dbb9115 100755
--- a/frappe/email/queue.py
+++ b/frappe/email/queue.py
@@ -474,6 +474,7 @@ def prepare_message(email, recipient, recipients_list):
 
 		message = message.replace("<!--recipient-->", recipient)
 
+	message = (message and message.encode('utf8')) or ''
 	if not email.attachments:
 		return message