diff --git a/src/opnsense/service/modules/template.py b/src/opnsense/service/modules/template.py
index 02dcb1c35..153604763 100644
--- a/src/opnsense/service/modules/template.py
+++ b/src/opnsense/service/modules/template.py
@@ -67,8 +67,13 @@ class Template(object):
     def _encode_idna(x):
         """ encode string to idna, preserve leading dots
         """
-        tmp = b''.join([b''.join([b'.' for x in range(len(x) - len(x.lstrip('.')))]), x.lstrip('.').encode('idna')])
-        return tmp.decode()
+        try:
+            tmp = b''.join([b''.join([b'.' for x in range(len(x) - len(x.lstrip('.')))]), x.lstrip('.').encode('idna')])
+            return tmp.decode()
+        except UnicodeError:
+            # return source when unable to decode
+            syslog.syslog(syslog.LOG_NOTICE, "encode idna: unable to decode %s, return source" % x)
+            return x
 
     def list_module(self, module_name):
         """ list single module content