diff --git a/services/unread.py b/services/unread.py
index c679ef9f..013234c7 100644
--- a/services/unread.py
+++ b/services/unread.py
@@ -18,6 +18,6 @@ async def get_total_unread_counter(author_id: int):
     chats = await redis.execute("SMEMBERS", f"chats_by_author/{author_id}")
     unread = 0
     for chat_id in list(chats):
-        n = await get_unread_counter(chat_id.decode("utf-8"), author_id)
+        n = await get_unread_counter(chat_id, author_id)
         unread += n
     return unread