diff --git a/slackpost.py b/slackpost.py
index f7cde12..d487d1f 100755
--- a/slackpost.py
+++ b/slackpost.py
@@ -26,10 +26,12 @@ if addr.replace(".", "") != slack.user().email().replace(".", ""):
 if headers.is_multipart():
     for part in headers.get_payload():
         if part.get_content_type() == "text/plain":
-            payload = part.get_payload()
+            payload = part.get_payload(decode = True)
 else:
-    payload = headers.get_payload()
+    payload = headers.get_payload(decode = True)
 
+if type(payload) is bytes:
+    payload = payload.decode()
 
 #
 # Find the thread id in the message payload