diff --git a/kallithea/tests/test.ini b/kallithea/tests/test.ini
--- a/kallithea/tests/test.ini
+++ b/kallithea/tests/test.ini
@@ -501,7 +501,6 @@ sqlalchemy.db1.url = sqlite:///%(here)s/
 
 sqlalchemy.db1.echo = false
 sqlalchemy.db1.pool_recycle = 3600
-sqlalchemy.db1.convert_unicode = true
 
 ################################
 ### LOGGING CONFIGURATION   ####