diff --git a/ssh-audit.py b/ssh-audit.py
index 0c6ac11..e9243ec 100755
--- a/ssh-audit.py
+++ b/ssh-audit.py
@@ -1598,7 +1598,8 @@ def audit(conf, sshv=None):
 	if err is None:
 		packet_type, payload = s.read_packet(sshv)
 		if packet_type < 0:
-			if payload == b'Protocol major versions differ.':
+			payload = payload.decode('utf-8')
+			if payload == u'Protocol major versions differ.':
 				if sshv == 2 and conf.ssh1:
 					audit(conf, 1)
 					return