diff --git a/weboob/tools/application/repl.py b/weboob/tools/application/repl.py
index a5c6e9c6..c01d68e4 100644
--- a/weboob/tools/application/repl.py
+++ b/weboob/tools/application/repl.py
@@ -263,9 +263,9 @@ class ReplApplication(Cmd, ConsoleApplication):
         obj = None
 
         # remove backends that do not have the required method
-        new_backend_names=[]
+        new_backend_names = []
         for backend in backend_names:
-            if isinstance(backend,str):
+            if isinstance(backend, str) or isinstance(backend, unicode):
                 actual_backend = self.weboob.get_backend(backend)
             else:
                 actual_backend = backend