diff --git a/base_location/better_zip.py b/base_location/better_zip.py
index 6d109b43d..c9757465f 100644
--- a/base_location/better_zip.py
+++ b/base_location/better_zip.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 #
 ##############################################################################
 from openerp.osv import orm, fields
-
+from openerp import tools
 
 class BetterZip(orm.Model):
     " City/locations completion object"
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ class BetterZip(orm.Model):
                 name.append(bzip.state_id.name)
             if bzip.country_id:
                 name.append(bzip.country_id.name)
-            name = [str(x) for x in name if x]
+            name = [tools.ustr(x) for x in name if x]
             res.append((bzip.id, ", ".join(name)))
         return res