diff --git a/server/actions.py b/server/actions.py
index 94344dce..4d021a71 100644
--- a/server/actions.py
+++ b/server/actions.py
@@ -176,13 +176,13 @@ class Actions(JailThread):
 			aInfo["time"] = bTicket.getTime()
 			aInfo["matches"] = "".join(bTicket.getMatches())
 			if self.__banManager.addBanTicket(bTicket):
-				logSys.warn("[%s] Ban %s" % (self.jail.getName(), str(aInfo["ip"])))
+				logSys.warn("[%s] Ban %s" % (self.jail.getName(), aInfo["ip"]))
 				for action in self.__actions:
 					action.execActionBan(aInfo)
 				return True
 			else:
 				logSys.info("[%s] %s already banned" % (self.jail.getName(),
-														str(aInfo["ip"])))
+														aInfo["ip"]))
 		return False
 	
 	##
diff --git a/server/ticket.py b/server/ticket.py
index 644d3cd1..c03761c1 100644
--- a/server/ticket.py
+++ b/server/ticket.py
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ class Ticket:
 		@param matches (log) lines caused the ticket
 		"""
 
-		self.__ip = ip
+		self.setIP(ip)
 		self.__time = time
 		self.__attempt = 0
 		self.__file = None
@@ -54,6 +54,9 @@ class Ticket:
 	
 
 	def setIP(self, value):
+		if isinstance(value, basestring):
+			# guarantee using regular str instead of unicode for the IP
+			value = str(value)
 		self.__ip = value
 	
 	def getIP(self):
diff --git a/testcases/failmanagertestcase.py b/testcases/failmanagertestcase.py
index e5e0ccca..ffee4ff1 100644
--- a/testcases/failmanagertestcase.py
+++ b/testcases/failmanagertestcase.py
@@ -35,11 +35,11 @@ class AddFailure(unittest.TestCase):
 
 	def setUp(self):
 		"""Call before every test case."""
-		self.__items = [['193.168.0.128', 1167605999.0],
-					    ['193.168.0.128', 1167605999.0],
-					    ['193.168.0.128', 1167605999.0],
-					    ['193.168.0.128', 1167605999.0],
-					    ['193.168.0.128', 1167605999.0],
+		self.__items = [[u'193.168.0.128', 1167605999.0],
+					    [u'193.168.0.128', 1167605999.0],
+					    [u'193.168.0.128', 1167605999.0],
+					    [u'193.168.0.128', 1167605999.0],
+					    [u'193.168.0.128', 1167605999.0],
 					    ['87.142.124.10', 1167605999.0],
 					    ['87.142.124.10', 1167605999.0],
 					    ['87.142.124.10', 1167605999.0],
@@ -80,6 +80,7 @@ class AddFailure(unittest.TestCase):
 		#ticket = FailTicket('193.168.0.128', None)
 		ticket = self.__failManager.toBan()
 		self.assertEqual(ticket.getIP(), "193.168.0.128")
+		self.assertTrue(isinstance(ticket.getIP(), str))
 	
 	def testbanNOK(self):
 		self.__failManager.setMaxRetry(10)