diff --git a/RA3MP3Playback.py b/RA3MP3Playback.py
index 369ee2c..1c3170a 100644
--- a/RA3MP3Playback.py
+++ b/RA3MP3Playback.py
@@ -90,6 +90,10 @@ ANSI_ESCAPE_RE = re.compile(
 
 # ===================== UTILITY FUNCTIONS =================
 def apply_backspaces(s):
+    # Ensure we are working with str
+    if isinstance(s, bytes):
+        s = s.decode(errors="ignore")
+
     buf = []
     for c in s:
         if c == "\x08":