diff --git a/flask_security/utils.py b/flask_security/utils.py
index ddca6be..b9837c4 100644
--- a/flask_security/utils.py
+++ b/flask_security/utils.py
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ def encrypt_password(password):
 
 
 def md5(data):
-    return hashlib.md5(data.encode('ascii')).hexdigest()
+    return hashlib.md5(data.encode('utf-8')).hexdigest()
 
 
 def do_flash(message, category=None):
diff --git a/tests/test_configuration.py b/tests/test_configuration.py
index 0c9519d..6bc3c52 100644
--- a/tests/test_configuration.py
+++ b/tests/test_configuration.py
@@ -24,11 +24,11 @@ def test_view_configuration(client):
     assert b"<h1>Login</h1>" in response.data
 
     response = authenticate(client, endpoint='/custom_login')
-    assert b'location' in response.headers
+    assert 'location' in response.headers
     assert response.headers['Location'] == 'http://localhost/post_login'
 
     response = logout(client, endpoint='/custom_logout')
-    assert b'location' in response.headers
+    assert 'location' in response.headers
     assert response.headers['Location'] == 'http://localhost/post_logout'
 
     response = client.get('/http', headers={