diff --git a/pwnagotchi/grid.py b/pwnagotchi/grid.py
index e260d80e..c76db3a2 100644
--- a/pwnagotchi/grid.py
+++ b/pwnagotchi/grid.py
@@ -112,4 +112,4 @@ def mark_message(id, mark):
 
 
 def send_message(to, message):
-    return call("/unit/%s/inbox" % to, message)
+    return call("/unit/%s/inbox" % to, message.encode('utf-8'))