diff --git a/klippy/console.py b/klippy/console.py
index b3075912..bb91a883 100755
--- a/klippy/console.py
+++ b/klippy/console.py
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ class KeyboardReader:
                 return None
         return line
     def process_kbd(self, eventtime):
-        self.data += os.read(self.fd, 4096).decode()
+        self.data += str(os.read(self.fd, 4096).decode())
 
         kbdlines = self.data.split('\n')
         for line in kbdlines[:-1]: