diff --git a/lbrynet/daemon/Publisher.py b/lbrynet/daemon/Publisher.py
index a21ccede7..16f13dd28 100644
--- a/lbrynet/daemon/Publisher.py
+++ b/lbrynet/daemon/Publisher.py
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ class Publisher(object):
 
         # check if we have a file already for this claim (if this is a publish update with a new stream)
         old_stream_hashes = yield self.storage.get_old_stream_hashes_for_claim_id(
-            tx.get_claim_id(0), self.lbry_file.stream_hash
+            tx.get_claim_id(0).decode(), self.lbry_file.stream_hash
         )
         if old_stream_hashes:
             for lbry_file in filter(lambda l: l.stream_hash in old_stream_hashes,