diff --git a/adafruit_miniqr.py b/adafruit_miniqr.py
index 49eee4f..bfe90af 100644
--- a/adafruit_miniqr.py
+++ b/adafruit_miniqr.py
@@ -247,6 +247,8 @@ def _create_data(qr_type, ecc, data_list):
         buffer = QRBitBuffer()
 
         for data in data_list:
+            if isinstance(data, str):
+                data = str.encode(data)
             buffer.put(_MODE_8BIT_BYTE, 4)
             buffer.put(len(data), 8)
             for byte in data: