diff --git a/actions.xml b/actions.xml
index be5949b468..7272b7acd4 100644
--- a/actions.xml
+++ b/actions.xml
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@
 				FactorPlugin.evalInListener(view,
 					"\""
 					+ FactorReader.charsToEscapes(word)
-					+ "\" apropos.");
+					+ "\" apropos");
 			}
 		</CODE>
 	</ACTION>
diff --git a/native/string.c b/native/string.c
index 8aa2f3c553..d353c98021 100644
--- a/native/string.c
+++ b/native/string.c
@@ -163,7 +163,11 @@ char* unbox_c_string(void)
 u16* unbox_utf16_string(void)
 {
 	/* Return pointer to first character */
-	return (u16*)(untag_string(dpop()) + 1);
+	CELL str = dpop();
+	if(type_of(str) == STRING_TYPE)
+		return (u16*)(untag_string(str) + 1);
+	else
+		return (u16*)alien_offset(str);
 }
 
 void primitive_char_slot(void)