diff --git a/labscript_devices/FunctionRunner/utils.py b/labscript_devices/FunctionRunner/utils.py
index 7783e86e..c920aeb3 100644
--- a/labscript_devices/FunctionRunner/utils.py
+++ b/labscript_devices/FunctionRunner/utils.py
@@ -52,6 +52,8 @@ def deserialise_function(
     """Deserialise a function that was serialised by serialise_function. Optional
     __name__ and __file__ arguments set those attributes in the namespace that the
     function will be defined."""
+    if isinstance(name, bytes):
+        name = name.decode('utf8')
     args = deserialise(args)
     kwargs = deserialise(kwargs)
     code = compile(source, '<string>', 'exec', dont_inherit=True,)