diff --git a/python_apps/pypo/pypo/pypofetch.py b/python_apps/pypo/pypo/pypofetch.py
index 3325432ef..a9cc475c2 100644
--- a/python_apps/pypo/pypo/pypofetch.py
+++ b/python_apps/pypo/pypo/pypofetch.py
@@ -159,9 +159,9 @@ class PypoFetch(Thread):
         station_name = info['station_name']
         fade = info['transition_fade']
 
-        commands.append(('vars.stream_metadata_type %s\n' % stream_format))
-        commands.append(('vars.station_name %s\n' % station_name))
-        commands.append(('vars.default_dj_fade %s\n' % fade))
+        commands.append(('vars.stream_metadata_type %s\n' % stream_format).encode('utf-8'))
+        commands.append(('vars.station_name %s\n' % station_name).encode('utf-8'))
+        commands.append(('vars.default_dj_fade %s\n' % fade).encode('utf-8'))
         self.pypo_liquidsoap.get_telnet_dispatcher().telnet_send(commands)
 
         self.pypo_liquidsoap.clear_all_queues()
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ class PypoFetch(Thread):
             while True:
                 try:
                     tn = telnetlib.Telnet(self.config['ls_host'], self.config['ls_port'])
-                    tn.write("exit\n")
+                    tn.write('exit\n'.encode())
                     tn.read_all()
                     self.logger.info("Liquidsoap is up and running")
                     break
@@ -221,15 +221,15 @@ class PypoFetch(Thread):
             # we are manually adjusting the bootup time variable so the status msg will get
             # updated.
             current_time = time.time()
-            boot_up_time_command = "vars.bootup_time " + str(current_time) + "\n"
+            boot_up_time_command = ("vars.bootup_time " + str(current_time) + "\n").encode()
             self.logger.info(boot_up_time_command)
             tn.write(boot_up_time_command)
 
-            connection_status = "streams.connection_status\n"
+            connection_status = ("streams.connection_status\n").encode()
             self.logger.info(connection_status)
             tn.write(connection_status)
 
-            tn.write('exit\n')
+            tn.write('exit\n'.encode())
 
             output = tn.read_all()
         except Exception as e:
@@ -261,10 +261,10 @@ class PypoFetch(Thread):
         try:
             self.telnet_lock.acquire()
             tn = telnetlib.Telnet(self.config['ls_host'], self.config['ls_port'])
-            command = ('vars.stream_metadata_type %s\n' % stream_format)
+            command = ('vars.stream_metadata_type %s\n' % stream_format).encode('utf-8')
             self.logger.info(command)
             tn.write(command)
-            tn.write('exit\n')
+            tn.write('exit\n'.encode())
             tn.read_all()
         except Exception as e:
             self.logger.exception(e)
@@ -278,10 +278,10 @@ class PypoFetch(Thread):
         try:
             self.telnet_lock.acquire()
             tn = telnetlib.Telnet(self.config['ls_host'], self.config['ls_port'])
-            command = ('vars.default_dj_fade %s\n' % fade)
+            command = ('vars.default_dj_fade %s\n' % fade).encode('utf-8')
             self.logger.info(command)
             tn.write(command)
-            tn.write('exit\n')
+            tn.write('exit\n'.encode())
             tn.read_all()
         except Exception as e:
             self.logger.exception(e)
@@ -296,10 +296,10 @@ class PypoFetch(Thread):
             try:
                 self.telnet_lock.acquire()
                 tn = telnetlib.Telnet(self.config['ls_host'], self.config['ls_port'])
-                command = ('vars.station_name %s\n' % station_name)
+                command = ('vars.station_name %s\n' % station_name).encode('utf-8')
                 self.logger.info(command)
                 tn.write(command)
-                tn.write('exit\n')
+                tn.write('exit\n'.encode())
                 tn.read_all()
             except Exception as e:
                 self.logger.exception(e)