diff --git a/src/Mod/Start/StartPage/StartPage.py b/src/Mod/Start/StartPage/StartPage.py
index 5fbdeba26c..24e78efd5f 100644
--- a/src/Mod/Start/StartPage/StartPage.py
+++ b/src/Mod/Start/StartPage/StartPage.py
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ def getInfo(filename):
             # check for meta-file if it's really a FreeCAD document
             if files[0] == "Document.xml":
                 try:
-                    doc = str(zfile.read(files[0]))
+                    doc = zfile.read(files[0]).decode('utf-8')
                 except OSError as e:
                     print ("Fail to load corrupted FCStd file: '{0}' with this error: {1}".format(filename, str(e)))
                     return None