diff --git a/tests/test_forward_secrecy.py b/tests/test_forward_secrecy.py
index b7aec6fb..c4da1487 100644
--- a/tests/test_forward_secrecy.py
+++ b/tests/test_forward_secrecy.py
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ class OnionrForwardSecrecyTests(unittest.TestCase):
             encrypted = friendUser.forwardEncrypt(message)
 
             decrypted = crypto.encryption.pub_key_decrypt(encrypted[0], privkey=fakeForwardPair[1], encodedData=True)
-            self.assertEqual(decrypted, message.encode())
+            self.assertEqual(decrypted, message)
 
     def test_forward_encrypt(self):