diff --git a/services/unread.py b/services/unread.py
index 7412be1c..676245a7 100644
--- a/services/unread.py
+++ b/services/unread.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ import json
 async def get_unread_counter(chat_id: str, author_id: int):
     try:
         unread = await redis.execute(
-            "LLEN", f"chats/{chat_id.decode('utf-8')}/unread/{author_id}"
+            "LLEN", f"chats/{chat_id}/unread/{author_id}"
         )
         if unread:
             return unread