diff --git a/tests/test_form_pages.py b/tests/test_form_pages.py
index e2d791bd1..e428cb9c5 100644
--- a/tests/test_form_pages.py
+++ b/tests/test_form_pages.py
@@ -4456,7 +4456,7 @@ def test_form_autosave_with_items_field(pub):
             fields.StringField(id='1', label='string', varname='foo'),
             fields.PageField(id='2', label='2nd page', type='page'),
             fields.ItemsField(id='3', label='items', type='items',
-                items=[x.encode(pub.site_charset) for x in (u'pomme', u'poire', u'pêche', u'abricot')]),
+                items=[force_str(x) for x in (u'pomme', u'poire', u'pêche', u'abricot')]),
     ]
     formdef.enable_tracking_codes = True
     formdef.store()