diff --git a/ipa-server/ipa-gui/ipagui/controllers.py b/ipa-server/ipa-gui/ipagui/controllers.py
index 089bbda20..a1ea88ca4 100644
--- a/ipa-server/ipa-gui/ipagui/controllers.py
+++ b/ipa-server/ipa-gui/ipagui/controllers.py
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ def ldap_search_escape(match):
 
     if value == u"(":
         return u"\\28"
-    elif value == ")":
+    elif value == u")":
         return u"\\29"
     elif value == u"\\":
         return u"\\5c"