diff --git a/addons/auth_ldap/models/res_company_ldap.py b/addons/auth_ldap/models/res_company_ldap.py
index dfc9070a2e9..05dcb275afa 100644
--- a/addons/auth_ldap/models/res_company_ldap.py
+++ b/addons/auth_ldap/models/res_company_ldap.py
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ class CompanyLDAP(models.Model):
             ldap_password = conf['ldap_password'] or ''
             ldap_binddn = conf['ldap_binddn'] or ''
             conn.simple_bind_s(ldap_binddn.encode('utf-8'), ldap_password.encode('utf-8'))
-            results = conn.search_st(conf['ldap_base'], ldap.SCOPE_SUBTREE, filter, retrieve_attributes, timeout=60)
+            results = conn.search_st(conf['ldap_base'].encode('utf-8'), ldap.SCOPE_SUBTREE, filter, retrieve_attributes, timeout=60)
             conn.unbind()
         except ldap.INVALID_CREDENTIALS:
             _logger.error('LDAP bind failed.')