diff --git a/src/class_singleWorker.py b/src/class_singleWorker.py
index c57ab26b..e0d8a518 100644
--- a/src/class_singleWorker.py
+++ b/src/class_singleWorker.py
@@ -417,7 +417,7 @@ class singleWorker(StoppableThread):
         TTL = int(28 * 24 * 60 * 60 + helper_random.randomrandrange(-300, 300))
         embeddedTime = int(time.time() + TTL)
         payload = pack('>Q', (embeddedTime))
-        payload += '\x00\x00\x00\x01'  # object type: pubkey
+        payload += b'\x00\x00\x00\x01'  # object type: pubkey
         payload += encodeVarint(addressVersionNumber)  # Address version number
         payload += encodeVarint(streamNumber)
         dataToEncrypt = protocol.getBitfield(myAddress)