diff --git a/src/mod_muc_admin.erl b/src/mod_muc_admin.erl
index 3e659d2dc..9c69628be 100644
--- a/src/mod_muc_admin.erl
+++ b/src/mod_muc_admin.erl
@@ -260,7 +260,7 @@ get_sort_query(Q) ->
 
 get_sort_query2(Q) ->
     {value, {_, String}} = lists:keysearch(<<"sort">>, 1, Q),
-    Integer = list_to_integer(String),
+    Integer = list_to_integer(binary_to_list(String)),
     case Integer >= 0 of
 	true -> {ok, {normal, Integer}};
 	false -> {ok, {reverse, abs(Integer)}}