diff --git a/encrypted_fields/fields.py b/encrypted_fields/fields.py
index 0a5c090..23da404 100644
--- a/encrypted_fields/fields.py
+++ b/encrypted_fields/fields.py
@@ -154,8 +154,11 @@ def to_python(self, value):
 
         try:
             value = self.crypter().decrypt(value)
+            value = value.decode('unicode_escape')
         except keyczar.errors.KeyczarError:
             pass
+        except UnicodeEncodeError:
+            pass
 
         return super(EncryptedFieldMixin, self).to_python(value)
 
@@ -164,7 +167,14 @@ def get_prep_value(self, value):
 
         if value is None or value == '' or self.decrypt_only:
             return value
-        return self.prefix + self.crypter().encrypt(smart_text(value))
+
+        if isinstance(value, types.StringTypes):
+            value = value.encode('unicode_escape')
+            value = value.encode('ascii')
+        else:
+            value = str(value)
+
+        return self.prefix + self.crypter().encrypt(value)
 
     def get_db_prep_value(self, value, connection, prepared=False):
         if not prepared:
diff --git a/encrypted_fields/tests.py b/encrypted_fields/tests.py
index dd92376..e6cf7a7 100644
--- a/encrypted_fields/tests.py
+++ b/encrypted_fields/tests.py
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ def test_char_field_encrypted(self):
         self.assertEqual(fresh_model.char, plaintext)
 
     def test_unicode_encrypted(self):
-        plaintext = 'Oh hi, test reader! 🐱'
+        plaintext = u'Oh hi, test reader! 🐱'
 
         model = TestModel()
         model.char = plaintext