diff --git a/rhodecode/model/__init__.py b/rhodecode/model/__init__.py
--- a/rhodecode/model/__init__.py
+++ b/rhodecode/model/__init__.py
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@
 
 import logging
 from rhodecode.model import meta
+from rhodecode.lib.utils2 import safe_str
 
 log = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -86,7 +87,7 @@ class BaseModel(object):
 
         if isinstance(instance, cls):
             return instance
-        elif isinstance(instance, (int, long)) or str(instance).isdigit():
+        elif isinstance(instance, (int, long)) or safe_str(instance).isdigit():
             return cls.get(instance)
         else:
             if instance:
diff --git a/rhodecode/model/scm.py b/rhodecode/model/scm.py
--- a/rhodecode/model/scm.py
+++ b/rhodecode/model/scm.py
@@ -186,7 +186,7 @@ class ScmModel(BaseModel):
         cls = Repository
         if isinstance(instance, cls):
             return instance
-        elif isinstance(instance, int) or str(instance).isdigit():
+        elif isinstance(instance, int) or safe_str(instance).isdigit():
             return cls.get(instance)
         elif isinstance(instance, basestring):
             return cls.get_by_repo_name(instance)
@@ -592,4 +592,4 @@ class ScmModel(BaseModel):
                 f.write(tmpl)
             os.chmod(_hook_file, 0755)
         else:
-            log.debug('skipping writing hook file')
\ No newline at end of file
+            log.debug('skipping writing hook file')