diff --git a/src/helper_api.py b/src/helper_api.py
index 6334c08c..ca2afca1 100644
--- a/src/helper_api.py
+++ b/src/helper_api.py
@@ -473,7 +473,7 @@ Creates a new chan. passphrase must be base64 encoded. Outputs the corresponding
         address = queueReturn[0]
         data = {
             'address': address,
-            'label': label
+            'label': label.encode( 'base64')
         }
 
         return 200, data