diff --git a/gluon/template.py b/gluon/template.py
index 34b0d415..3bbae113 100644
--- a/gluon/template.py
+++ b/gluon/template.py
@@ -898,6 +898,9 @@ def render(content="hello world",
         if not 'NOESCAPE' in context:
             context['NOESCAPE'] = NOESCAPE
 
+    if isinstance(content, unicode):
+        content = content.encode('utf8')
+            
     # save current response class
     if context and 'response' in context:
         old_response_body = context['response'].body