diff --git a/addons/account/account.py b/addons/account/account.py
index 2d261ca466d..a2f84506b11 100644
--- a/addons/account/account.py
+++ b/addons/account/account.py
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ import decimal_precision as dp
 from tools.translate import _
 from tools.float_utils import float_round
 from openerp import SUPERUSER_ID
-
+import tools
 
 _logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -227,7 +227,7 @@ class account_account(osv.osv):
         while pos < len(args):
 
             if args[pos][0] == 'code' and args[pos][1] in ('like', 'ilike') and args[pos][2]:
-                args[pos] = ('code', '=like', str(args[pos][2].replace('%', ''))+'%')
+                args[pos] = ('code', '=like', tools.ustr(args[pos][2].replace('%', ''))+'%')
             if args[pos][0] == 'journal_id':
                 if not args[pos][2]:
                     del args[pos]