diff --git a/redash/destinations/hipchat.py b/redash/destinations/hipchat.py
index b23189c7b..fee41830e 100644
--- a/redash/destinations/hipchat.py
+++ b/redash/destinations/hipchat.py
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ class HipChat(BaseDestination):
             alert_url = '{host}/alerts/{alert_id}'.format(host=host, alert_id=alert.id);
             query_url = '{host}/queries/{query_id}'.format(host=host, query_id=query.id);
 
-            message = '<a href="{alert_url}">{alert_name}</a> changed state to {new_state} (based on <a href="{query_url}">this query</a>).'.format(
+            message = u'<a href="{alert_url}">{alert_name}</a> changed state to {new_state} (based on <a href="{query_url}">this query</a>).'.format(
                 alert_name=alert.name, new_state=new_state.upper(),
                 alert_url=alert_url,
                 query_url=query_url)