diff --git a/lib/galaxy/model/custom_types.py b/lib/galaxy/model/custom_types.py
index 7bc4b6b3c41..cdd376286fa 100644
--- a/lib/galaxy/model/custom_types.py
+++ b/lib/galaxy/model/custom_types.py
@@ -372,5 +372,5 @@ class TrimmedString(TypeDecorator):
     def process_bind_param(self, value, dialect):
         """Automatically truncate string values"""
         if self.impl.length and value is not None:
-            value = value[0:self.impl.length]
+            value = unicodify(value)[0:self.impl.length]
         return value