diff --git a/capsulflask/virt_model.py b/capsulflask/virt_model.py
index 06099b9..39d472f 100644
--- a/capsulflask/virt_model.py
+++ b/capsulflask/virt_model.py
@@ -96,11 +96,12 @@ class ShellScriptVirtualization(VirtualizationInterface):
     completedProcess = run([join(current_app.root_path, 'shell_scripts/get.sh'), id], capture_output=True)
     self.validate_completed_process(completedProcess)
     lines = completedProcess.stdout.splitlines()
+    ipaddr = lines[0].decode("utf-8")
 
-    if not re.match(r"^([0-9]{1,3}\.){3}[0-9]{1,3}$", lines[0]):
+    if not re.match(r"^([0-9]{1,3}\.){3}[0-9]{1,3}$", ipaddr):
       return None
 
-    return VirtualMachine(id, ipv4=lines[0])
+    return VirtualMachine(id, ipv4=ipaddr)
 
   def list_ids(self) -> list:
     completedProcess = run([join(current_app.root_path, 'shell_scripts/list-ids.sh')], capture_output=True)