diff --git a/kallithea/lib/hooks.py b/kallithea/lib/hooks.py
--- a/kallithea/lib/hooks.py
+++ b/kallithea/lib/hooks.py
@@ -197,8 +197,7 @@ def log_push_action(ui, repo, **kwargs):
 
     if ex.make_lock is not None and not ex.make_lock:
         Repository.unlock(Repository.get_by_repo_name(ex.repository))
-        msg = 'Released lock on repo `%s`\n' % ex.repository
-        ui.status(msg)
+        ui.status(safe_str('Released lock on repo `%s`\n' % ex.repository))
 
     if ex.locked_by[0]:
         locked_by = User.get(ex.locked_by[0]).username
diff --git a/kallithea/tests/other/manual_test_vcs_operations.py b/kallithea/tests/other/manual_test_vcs_operations.py
--- a/kallithea/tests/other/manual_test_vcs_operations.py
+++ b/kallithea/tests/other/manual_test_vcs_operations.py
@@ -483,7 +483,7 @@ class TestVCSOperations(TestController):
 
         #push is ok and repo is now unlocked
         stdout, stderr = _add_files_and_push('hg', DEST, clone_url=clone_url.split()[0])
-        assert ('remote: Released lock on repo `%s`' % fork_name) in stdout
+        assert str('remote: Released lock on repo `%s`' % fork_name) in stdout
         #we need to cleanup the Session Here !
         Session.remove()
         r = Repository.get_by_repo_name(fork_name)