diff --git a/cobe/bot.py b/cobe/bot.py
index 49deab5..58618ab 100644
--- a/cobe/bot.py
+++ b/cobe/bot.py
@@ -98,4 +98,4 @@ def emit(self, record):
         conn = self.connection
 
         if conn.is_connected():
-            conn.privmsg(self.channel, record.getMessage().encode("utf-8"))
+            conn.privmsg(self.channel, record.getMessage())
diff --git a/cobe/commands.py b/cobe/commands.py
index 68a9b7e..949907d 100644
--- a/cobe/commands.py
+++ b/cobe/commands.py
@@ -215,7 +215,7 @@ def run(args):
                 sys.exit(0)
 
             b.learn(cmd)
-            print(b.reply(cmd).encode("utf-8"))
+            print(b.reply(cmd))
 
 
 class IrcClientCommand: