diff --git a/cli/util.py b/cli/util.py
index a4504e6..e207c46 100644
--- a/cli/util.py
+++ b/cli/util.py
@@ -53,6 +53,11 @@ def maptup(fun, lst):
 def translate(value, translations):
     return translations.get(value, value)
 
+def str_or_empty(value):
+    if value:
+        return str(value)
+    return ''
+
 def p(s):
     encoded = s
     if isinstance(s, unicode):