diff --git a/api/utils/serializer/v1/serializer.py b/api/utils/serializer/v1/serializer.py
index 23d1f692..9d3b9dfb 100644
--- a/api/utils/serializer/v1/serializer.py
+++ b/api/utils/serializer/v1/serializer.py
@@ -75,7 +75,10 @@ class AbstractModelAPISerializerV1(AbstractModelAPISerializer):
         Returns:
 
         """
-        if json_str is None or len(json_str) == 0:
+        if json_str is None:
+            return None
+        json_str = str(json_str)
+        if len(json_str) == 0:
             return None
         code = KonovaCode.objects.get(
             atom_id=json_str,