diff --git a/app/models.py b/app/models.py
index 5908603..39875e7 100644
--- a/app/models.py
+++ b/app/models.py
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import traceback
 import pyotp
 import re
 import dns.reversename
+import sys
 
 from datetime import datetime
 from distutils.util import strtobool
@@ -221,6 +222,12 @@ class User(db.Model):
                     self.firstname = result[0][0][1]['givenName'][0]
                     self.lastname = result[0][0][1]['sn'][0]
                     self.email = result[0][0][1]['mail'][0]
+
+                    if sys.version_info < (3,):
+                        if isinstance(self.firstname, str):
+                            self.firstname = self.firstname.decode('utf-8')
+                        if isinstance(self.lastname, str):
+                            self.lastname = self.lastname.decode('utf-8')
                 except Exception:
                     self.firstname = self.username
                     self.lastname = ''