diff --git a/src/qweechat/input.py b/src/qweechat/input.py
index 42c3f8e..d31124c 100644
--- a/src/qweechat/input.py
+++ b/src/qweechat/input.py
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ class InputLineEdit(QtGui.QLineEdit):
             QtGui.QLineEdit.keyPressEvent(self, event)
 
     def _input_return_pressed(self):
-        self._history.append(str(self.text()))
+        self._history.append(self.text().encode('utf-8'))
         self._history_index = len(self._history)
         self.textSent.emit(self.text())
         self.clear()
diff --git a/src/qweechat/network.py b/src/qweechat/network.py
index 9b49222..2a5184e 100644
--- a/src/qweechat/network.py
+++ b/src/qweechat/network.py
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ class Network(QtCore.QObject):
             self._socket.abort()
 
     def send_to_weechat(self, message):
-        self._socket.write(str(message))
+        self._socket.write(message.encode('utf-8'))
 
     def desync_weechat(self):
         self.send_to_weechat('desync\n')