diff --git a/conda_smithy/ci_register.py b/conda_smithy/ci_register.py
index 5bfb0cce9..065f3bb80 100755
--- a/conda_smithy/ci_register.py
+++ b/conda_smithy/ci_register.py
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ def appveyor_encrypt_binstar_token(feedstock_directory, user, project):
     if not code:
         code = {}
 
-    code.setdefault('appveyor', {}).setdefault('secure', {})['BINSTAR_TOKEN'] = response.content
+    code.setdefault('appveyor', {}).setdefault('secure', {})['BINSTAR_TOKEN'] = response.content.decode('utf-8')
     with open(forge_yaml, 'w') as fh:
         fh.write(ruamel.yaml.dump(code, Dumper=ruamel.yaml.RoundTripDumper))