diff --git a/gui/qt/main_window.py b/gui/qt/main_window.py
index 7b26bd9d..160b4af8 100644
--- a/gui/qt/main_window.py
+++ b/gui/qt/main_window.py
@@ -916,7 +916,7 @@ class ElectrumWindow(QMainWindow, MessageBoxMixin, PrintError):
         fileName = self.getSaveFileName(_("Select where to save your payment request"), name, "*.bip70")
         if fileName:
             with open(fileName, "wb+") as f:
-                f.write(str(pr))
+                f.write(util.to_bytes(pr))
             self.show_message(_("Request saved successfully"))
             self.saved = True
 
diff --git a/lib/paymentrequest.py b/lib/paymentrequest.py
index 51fbcbe9..9fb76591 100644
--- a/lib/paymentrequest.py
+++ b/lib/paymentrequest.py
@@ -320,7 +320,7 @@ def make_unsigned_request(req):
     pd.memo = memo
     pr = pb2.PaymentRequest()
     pr.serialized_payment_details = pd.SerializeToString()
-    pr.signature = ''
+    pr.signature = util.to_bytes('')
     return pr