diff --git a/chatterbot/utils/read_input.py b/chatterbot/utils/read_input.py
index 28b5433e0..91324dcbb 100644
--- a/chatterbot/utils/read_input.py
+++ b/chatterbot/utils/read_input.py
@@ -10,4 +10,8 @@ def input_function():
         user_input = str(raw_input())
     else:
         user_input = input()
+
+    if user_input:
+        user_input = user_input.decode('utf-8')
+        
     return user_input