--- ECHO_content/ECHO_collection.py	2007/07/19 14:13:13	1.290
+++ ECHO_content/ECHO_collection.py	2007/07/24 09:11:45	1.291
@@ -3755,7 +3755,10 @@ class ECHO_root(Folder,Persistent,Implic
 
     def formatAscii(self,str,url=None):
         """ersetze ascii umbrueche durch <br>"""
-        #url=None
+
+	if not str: 
+            return ""
+
         if url:
             
             retStr=""
@@ -3767,9 +3770,10 @@ class ECHO_root(Folder,Persistent,Implic
                 retStr+="""<a href="%s">%s</a><br/>"""%(strUrl,word)
             str=retStr
         if str:
-            return re.sub(r"[\n]","<br/>",str)
+            str = re.sub(r"[\n]","<br/>",str)
+            return unicodify(str)
         else:
-            return ""
+            return u""
         
     link2html=vlp_xmlhelpers.link2html
     related2html=vlp_xmlhelpers.related2html