diff --git a/client/text_ui.py b/client/text_ui.py
index 2e57e5d4f..df2a8ec1e 100644
--- a/client/text_ui.py
+++ b/client/text_ui.py
@@ -51,6 +51,9 @@ def package(options):
     _myopts = []
     mytbz2paths = []
     for opt in myopts:
+        if not Equo.entropyTools.is_valid_unicode(opt):
+            print_error(red(" %s." % (_("Malformed command"),) ))
+            return -10
         if (opt == "--nodeps"):
             equoRequestDeps = False
         elif (opt == "--empty"):