diff --git a/js/friendly_register.js b/js/friendly_register.js
index 987acbd..829d102 100644
--- a/js/friendly_register.js
+++ b/js/friendly_register.js
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@
           var newValue = userName.field.val();
           if (newValue != userName.oldValue) {
             userName.oldValue = newValue;
-            $.getJSON(userName.ajaxPath + newValue, function(data) {
+            $.getJSON(userName.ajaxPath + encodeURIComponent(newValue), function(data) {
               var message;
               var cssclass;
               if (data.available) {
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@
           var newValue = email.field.val();
           if (newValue != email.oldValue) {
             email.oldValue = newValue;
-            $.getJSON(email.ajaxPath + newValue, function(data) {
+            $.getJSON(email.ajaxPath + encodeURIComponent(newValue), function(data) {
               var message;
               if (data.available) {
                 message = email.avail;