diff --git a/pykolab/imap/cyrus.py b/pykolab/imap/cyrus.py
--- a/pykolab/imap/cyrus.py
+++ b/pykolab/imap/cyrus.py
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@
 
 import pykolab
 
+from pykolab import utils
 from pykolab import constants
 from pykolab.imap import IMAP
 from pykolab.translate import _
@@ -208,7 +209,6 @@
                     _mailfolder['domain'])
                )
 
-
         # TODO: Murder capabilities may have been suppressed using Cyrus IMAP
         # configuration.
         if not self.murder:
@@ -575,13 +575,7 @@
                         mbox['domain']
                     )
 
-            if ' ' in verify_folder_search:
-                folders = self.lm(
-                        '"%s"' % self.folder_utf7(verify_folder_search)
-                    )
-
-            else:
-                folders = self.lm(self.folder_utf7(verify_folder_search))
+            folders = self.lm(utils.ensure_str(self.folder_utf7(verify_folder_search)))
 
             # NOTE: Case also covered is valid hexadecimal folders; won't be
             # the actual check as intended, but doesn't give you anyone else's