diff --git a/pym/update/variables/update.py b/pym/update/variables/update.py
index d844edb..6fb263c 100644
--- a/pym/update/variables/update.py
+++ b/pym/update/variables/update.py
@@ -996,7 +996,8 @@ class VariableClUpdateProfileUrl(Variable):
         except GitError as e:
             raise VariableError(str(e))
         if not self.Get(self.profiles_shortname):
-            raise VariableError(_("Repository %s has no profiles") % value)
+            raise VariableError(_("Repository %s has no profiles") %
+                value.encode('utf-8'))
 
     def get(self):
         try: