diff --git a/tests/test_pages.py b/tests/test_pages.py
index 84726aec25..2df13ab55f 100644
--- a/tests/test_pages.py
+++ b/tests/test_pages.py
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ def test_profile(self):
         self.make_participant('cheese',
                               claimed_time=datetime.datetime.now(pytz.utc))
         expected = "I'm grateful for gifts"
-        actual = self.get('/cheese/')
+        actual = self.get('/cheese/').decode('utf8') # deal with cent sign
         assert expected in actual, actual
 
     def test_widget(self):