diff --git a/lbrynet/daemon/auth/client.py b/lbrynet/daemon/auth/client.py
index 95354e799..5781f9558 100644
--- a/lbrynet/daemon/auth/client.py
+++ b/lbrynet/daemon/auth/client.py
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ class AuthAPIClient:
             cookies = RequestsCookieJar()
             cookies.update(http_response.cookies)
             uid = cookies.get(TWISTED_SESSION)
-            api_key = APIKey.new(seed=uid)
+            api_key = APIKey.new(seed=uid.encode())
         else:
             # This is a client that already has a session, use it
             conn = connection