diff --git a/gui/qt/qrtextedit.py b/gui/qt/qrtextedit.py
index 8f452a88..d539f0ae 100644
--- a/gui/qt/qrtextedit.py
+++ b/gui/qt/qrtextedit.py
@@ -61,7 +61,6 @@ class ScanQRTextEdit(ButtonsTextEdit, MessageBoxMixin):
         except BaseException as e:
             self.show_error(str(e))
             data = ''
-        data = str(data)
         self.setText(data)
         return data
 
diff --git a/lib/qrscanner.py b/lib/qrscanner.py
index c0af98ce..e231e643 100644
--- a/lib/qrscanner.py
+++ b/lib/qrscanner.py
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ def scan_barcode(device='', timeout=-1, display=True, threaded=False):
         return
     symbol = libzbar.zbar_symbol_set_first_symbol(symbols)
     data = libzbar.zbar_symbol_get_data(symbol)
-    return data
+    return data.decode('utf8')
 
 def _find_system_cameras():
     device_root = "/sys/class/video4linux"