diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/video_module/video_handlers.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/video_module/video_handlers.py
index 8ee66581ae..4c6b3340ce 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/video_module/video_handlers.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/video_module/video_handlers.py
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ class VideoStudentViewHandlers(object):
 
         if dispatch == 'save_user_state':
             for key in data:
-                if hasattr(self, key) and key in accepted_keys:
+                if key in accepted_keys:
                     if key in conversions:
                         value = conversions[key](data[key])
                     else:
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/tests/test_video_handlers.py b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/tests/test_video_handlers.py
index 8fee82ed05..5c3572417b 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/tests/test_video_handlers.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/tests/test_video_handlers.py
@@ -131,6 +131,7 @@ class TestVideo(BaseTestXmodule):
             {'speed': 2.0},
             {'saved_video_position': "00:00:10"},
             {'transcript_language': 'uk'},
+            {'demoo�': 'sample'}
         ]
         for sample in data:
             response = self.clients[self.users[0].username].post(
@@ -152,6 +153,10 @@ class TestVideo(BaseTestXmodule):
         self.item_descriptor.handle_ajax('save_user_state', {'transcript_language': "uk"})
         self.assertEqual(self.item_descriptor.transcript_language, 'uk')
 
+        response = self.item_descriptor.handle_ajax('save_user_state', {u'demoo�': "sample"})
+        self.assertEqual(json.loads(response)['success'], True)
+
+
     def tearDown(self):
         _clear_assets(self.item_descriptor.location)