diff --git a/src/prpy/serialization.py b/src/prpy/serialization.py
index a0bc17a..f5f9140 100644
--- a/src/prpy/serialization.py
+++ b/src/prpy/serialization.py
@@ -660,7 +660,7 @@ def deserialize_transform(data):
     '_name': str_identity,
     '_type': (
         lambda x: x.name,
-        lambda x: openravepy.KinBody.JointType.names[x].encode()
+        lambda x: openravepy.KinBody.JointType.names[x]
     ),
     '_vanchor': numpy_identity,
     '_vaxes': (