diff --git a/python/__init__.py b/python/__init__.py
index 757d54099a3f21..252a9763db95e1 100644
--- a/python/__init__.py
+++ b/python/__init__.py
@@ -364,7 +364,7 @@ def enter_bootloader(self):
       pass
 
   def get_version(self):
-    return bytes(self._handle.controlRead(Panda.REQUEST_IN, 0xd6, 0, 0, 0x40)).decode('utf8')
+    return self._handle.controlRead(Panda.REQUEST_IN, 0xd6, 0, 0, 0x40).decode('utf8')
 
   def get_type(self):
     return self._handle.controlRead(Panda.REQUEST_IN, 0xc1, 0, 0, 0x40)