diff --git a/src/stream_auth/routes/stream.py b/src/stream_auth/routes/stream.py
index a59215c..0d66255 100644
--- a/src/stream_auth/routes/stream.py
+++ b/src/stream_auth/routes/stream.py
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ def publish_check():
     # get user
     try:
         stream_key = request.form.get('stream_key')
+        print(stream_key)
         username = request.form.get('name')
         stream_user = user.search_user(username)[0]
         if username != stream_user['username']:
diff --git a/src/stream_auth/routes/user.py b/src/stream_auth/routes/user.py
index 7bcd165..c4d24b3 100644
--- a/src/stream_auth/routes/user.py
+++ b/src/stream_auth/routes/user.py
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ def create():
     logging.info('User %s created with stream key %s',
                  new_user.username, new_user.stream_key)
 
-    res = {'username': new_user.username, 'stream_key': str(new_user.stream_key)}
+    res = {'username': new_user.username, 'stream_key': new_user.stream_key.decode('utf-8')}
     return make_response(jsonify(res), 200)