diff --git a/debug_toolbar/panels/settings.py b/debug_toolbar/panels/settings.py
index 68ab44c0b..e985e7790 100644
--- a/debug_toolbar/panels/settings.py
+++ b/debug_toolbar/panels/settings.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from django.utils.encoding import force_str
+from django.utils.encoding import DjangoUnicodeDecodeError, force_str
 from django.utils.translation import gettext_lazy as _
 from django.views.debug import get_default_exception_reporter_filter
 
@@ -24,10 +24,16 @@ def title(self):
         )
 
     def generate_stats(self, request, response):
+        def catch_force_errors(force_function, value):
+            try:
+                return force_function(value)
+            except DjangoUnicodeDecodeError:
+                return "Debug toolbar was unable to parse value"
+
         self.record_stats(
             {
                 "settings": {
-                    key: force_str(value)
+                    key: catch_force_errors(force_str, value)
                     for key, value in sorted(get_safe_settings().items())
                 }
             }
diff --git a/docs/changes.rst b/docs/changes.rst
index 452242279..ae4b89f21 100644
--- a/docs/changes.rst
+++ b/docs/changes.rst
@@ -13,6 +13,8 @@ Pending
   class instance, regardless if any data was generated.
 * Fixed selenium tests for CI by using psycopg for Python 3.13 runs.
 * Added ``CommunityPanel`` containing links to documentation and resources.
+* Fixed force_str to catch error and give out default string if value is not
+  serializable.
 
 6.0.0 (2025-07-22)
 ------------------
diff --git a/tests/panels/test_settings.py b/tests/panels/test_settings.py
index 89b016dc0..5ea5345a9 100644
--- a/tests/panels/test_settings.py
+++ b/tests/panels/test_settings.py
@@ -3,7 +3,12 @@
 from ..base import IntegrationTestCase
 
 
-@override_settings(DEBUG=True)
+@override_settings(
+    DEBUG=True,
+    RANDOM_SETTING=bytes.fromhex(
+        "a3f2b8c14e972d5a8fb3c7291a64e0859c472bf63d18a0945e73b2c84f917ae2"
+    ),
+)
 class SettingsIntegrationTestCase(IntegrationTestCase):
     def test_panel_title(self):
         response = self.client.get("/regular/basic/")