diff --git a/wicd/misc.py b/wicd/misc.py
index f2439e1..207213f 100644
--- a/wicd/misc.py
+++ b/wicd/misc.py
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ def Run(cmd, include_stderr=False, return_pipe=False,
     if return_pipe:
         return f.stdout
     else:
-        return f.communicate()[0]
+        return f.communicate()[0].decode()
     
 def LaunchAndWait(cmd):
     """ Launches the given program with the given arguments, then blocks.