diff --git a/onionr/core.py b/onionr/core.py
index bfc72ae7..a665dd55 100644
--- a/onionr/core.py
+++ b/onionr/core.py
@@ -731,7 +731,7 @@ class Core:
         metadata['powRandomToken'] = powToken
         metadata['time'] = str(self._utils.getEpoch())
 
-        payload = json.dumps(metadata) + '\n' + data
+        payload = json.dumps(metadata).encode() + b'\n' + data
         retData = self.setData(payload)
         self.addToBlockDB(retData, selfInsert=True, dataSaved=True)