diff --git a/curses/wicd-curses.py b/curses/wicd-curses.py
index da1b1f4..4a0c041 100755
--- a/curses/wicd-curses.py
+++ b/curses/wicd-curses.py
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ def check_for_wireless(iwconfig, wireless_ip, set_status):
     if not network:
         return False
 
-    network = str(network)
+    network = unicode(network)
     if daemon.GetSignalDisplayType() == 0:
         strength = wireless.GetCurrentSignalStrength(iwconfig)
     else:
diff --git a/in/init=slackware=rc.wicd.in b/in/init=slackware=rc.wicd.in
index 10b3317..69c3f77 100755
--- a/in/init=slackware=rc.wicd.in
+++ b/in/init=slackware=rc.wicd.in
@@ -16,8 +16,8 @@ wicd_start() {
     echo "$PIDFILE and try again..."
     exit 1
   else
-    echo "Starting wicd daemon: $DAEMON"
-    wicd 2>/dev/null 1>&2
+    echo "Starting wicd daemon: $DAEMON &"
+    wicd 2>/dev/null 1>&2 &
   fi
 }