diff --git a/onionr/api.py b/onionr/api.py
index 1ef3f7fe..3a23c8d6 100755
--- a/onionr/api.py
+++ b/onionr/api.py
@@ -213,7 +213,7 @@ class API:
                 if self._utils.validateHash(data):
                     if not os.path.exists('data/blocks/' + data + '.db'):
                         block = Block(data.encode(), core=self._core)
-                        resp = base64.b64encode(block.getRaw()).decode()
+                        resp = base64.b64encode(block.getRaw().encode()).decode()
 
                 if len(resp) == 0:
                     abort(404)