diff --git a/changes/780.bugfix b/changes/780.bugfix
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d7bfacfd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changes/780.bugfix
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Add force_str to FeaturedPostsPlugin __str__ method
diff --git a/djangocms_blog/models.py b/djangocms_blog/models.py
index 52cac208..66a39c0c 100644
--- a/djangocms_blog/models.py
+++ b/djangocms_blog/models.py
@@ -605,7 +605,7 @@ class FeaturedPostsPlugin(BasePostPlugin):
     posts = SortedManyToManyField(Post, verbose_name=_("Featured posts"))
 
     def __str__(self):
-        return _("Featured posts")
+        return force_str(_("Featured posts"))
 
     def copy_relations(self, oldinstance):
         self.posts.set(oldinstance.posts.all())