diff --git a/gramps/gui/configure.py b/gramps/gui/configure.py
index daff51c94..05d24e3f6 100644
--- a/gramps/gui/configure.py
+++ b/gramps/gui/configure.py
@@ -1392,7 +1392,7 @@ class GrampsPreferences(ConfigureDialog):
         f.destroy()
 
     def set_dbpath(self, *obj):
-        path = self.dbpath_entry.get_text().strip()
+        path = conv_to_unicode(self.dbpath_entry.get_text().strip())
         config.set('behavior.database-path', path)
 
     def select_dbpath(self, *obj):