diff --git a/capsulflask/virt_model.py b/capsulflask/virt_model.py
index 0a15c23..8620fe4 100644
--- a/capsulflask/virt_model.py
+++ b/capsulflask/virt_model.py
@@ -114,7 +114,11 @@ class ShellScriptVirtualization(VirtualizationInterface):
       try:
         completedProcess2 = run([join(current_app.root_path, 'shell_scripts/ssh-keyscan.sh'), ipaddr], capture_output=True)
         self.validate_completed_process(completedProcess2)
-        ssh_host_keys = json.loads(completedProcess2.stdout)
+        current_app.logger.warning(f"""
+          failed to ssh-keyscan: {completedProcess2.stdout.decode("utf-8")}
+          """
+        )
+        ssh_host_keys = json.loads(completedProcess2.stdout.decode("utf-8"))
         return VirtualMachine(id, ipv4=ipaddr, ssh_host_keys=ssh_host_keys)
       except:
         current_app.logger.warning(f"""