diff --git a/client/common_lib/utils.py b/client/common_lib/utils.py
index 26a2695..bcd43ee 100644
--- a/client/common_lib/utils.py
+++ b/client/common_lib/utils.py
@@ -293,13 +293,13 @@
             # read in all the data we can from pipe and then stop
             data = []
             while select.select([pipe], [], [], 0)[0]:
-                data.append(os.read(pipe.fileno(), 1024).decode())
+                data.append(os.read(pipe.fileno(), 1024))
                 if len(data[-1]) == 0:
                     break
             data = "".join(data)
         else:
             # perform a single read
-            data = os.read(pipe.fileno(), 1024).decode()
+            data = os.read(pipe.fileno(), 1024)
         buf.write(data)
         tee.write(data)
 
@@ -625,7 +625,7 @@
             computed_hash = sha.new()
 
     if input:
-        computed_hash.update(input.encode())
+        computed_hash.update(input)
 
     return computed_hash