diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/catalog/catalog_epub_mobi.py b/src/calibre/gui2/catalog/catalog_epub_mobi.py
index 3f938d523e..53d1b266f1 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/catalog/catalog_epub_mobi.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/catalog/catalog_epub_mobi.py
@@ -287,7 +287,7 @@ def get_format_and_title(self):
                     if child.objectName() == 'format':
                         current_format = str(child.currentText()).strip()
                     elif child.objectName() == 'title':
-                        current_title = str(child.text()).strip()
+                        current_title = unicode(child.text()).strip()
         self.parentWidget().blockSignals(False)
         return current_format, current_title