diff --git a/CHANGES.txt b/CHANGES.txt
index 5de27bf..ac70df5 100644
--- a/CHANGES.txt
+++ b/CHANGES.txt
@@ -4,6 +4,9 @@ Changelog
 1.0RC1 (unreleased)
 -------------------
 
+- Convert anonymous-supplied name to unicode as done for authenticated members.
+  [ggozad]
+
 - Catch SMTP exceptions when sending email notifications.
   [timo]
 
diff --git a/plone/app/discussion/browser/comments.py b/plone/app/discussion/browser/comments.py
index 8a858fc..c6bf73d 100644
--- a/plone/app/discussion/browser/comments.py
+++ b/plone/app/discussion/browser/comments.py
@@ -136,6 +136,8 @@ class CommentForm(extensible.ExtensibleForm, form.Form):
             text = data['text']
         if 'author_name' in data:
             author_name = data['author_name']
+            if isinstance(author_name, str):
+                author_name = unicode(author_name, 'utf-8')
         if 'author_email' in data:
             author_email = data['author_email']
         if 'user_notification' in data: