diff --git a/netbox/ipam/models.py b/netbox/ipam/models.py
index 7ee53ad4a..e3959a9a0 100644
--- a/netbox/ipam/models.py
+++ b/netbox/ipam/models.py
@@ -381,7 +381,7 @@ class Prefix(CreatedUpdatedModel):
             ztype = pslash if pslash % 16 == 0 else pslash/16+16
 
             for ip in ipaddresses:
-                ifull = str(ipaddress.IPv6Address(str(ip.address).split('/')[0]).exploded)
+                ifull = str(ipaddress.IPv6Address(unicode(str(ip.address).split('/')[0])).exploded)
                 inibbles = ifull.split(':')
                 idigits = ifull.replace(':','').reverse
                 islash = int(str(ip.address).split('/')[1])