diff --git a/roles/ask/files/cancel.py b/roles/ask/files/cancel.py
index f13d8d697a..ac2f3ded54 100644
--- a/roles/ask/files/cancel.py
+++ b/roles/ask/files/cancel.py
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ class CancelActionMiddleware(object):
                 msg = getattr(view_func,'CANCEL_MESSAGE')
             except AttributeError:
                 msg = 'action canceled'
-            request.user.message_set.create(message=msg)
+            request.user.message_set.create(message=unicode(msg))
             return HttpResponseRedirect(get_next_url(request))
         else:
             return None
diff --git a/roles/ask/tasks/main.yml b/roles/ask/tasks/main.yml
index 512e8853cd..c875688abc 100644
--- a/roles/ask/tasks/main.yml
+++ b/roles/ask/tasks/main.yml
@@ -167,3 +167,16 @@
   - files
   notify:
   - restart httpd
+
+#
+# fix for feedback
+#
+
+- name: HOTFIX askbot/middleware/cancel.py
+  copy: >
+    src=cancel.py dest=/usr/lib/python2.6/site-packages/askbot/middleware/cancel.py
+    owner=root group=root mode=0644
+  tags:
+  - files
+  notify:
+  - restart httpd