diff --git a/flopy/discretization/structuredgrid.py b/flopy/discretization/structuredgrid.py
index b82828d70..ac1052781 100644
--- a/flopy/discretization/structuredgrid.py
+++ b/flopy/discretization/structuredgrid.py
@@ -195,7 +195,7 @@ def __init__(
         if laycbd is not None:
             self.__laycbd = laycbd
         else:
-            self.__laycbd = np.zeros(self.__nlay, dtype=int)
+            self.__laycbd = np.zeros(self.__nlay or (), dtype=int)
 
     ####################
     # Properties
diff --git a/flopy/utils/utils_def.py b/flopy/utils/utils_def.py
index b806317c2..7bf468356 100644
--- a/flopy/utils/utils_def.py
+++ b/flopy/utils/utils_def.py
@@ -38,12 +38,8 @@ def set_float(self, precision):
         return
 
     def read_text(self, nchar=20):
-        textvalue = self._read_values(self.character, nchar).tostring()
-        if not isinstance(textvalue, str):
-            textvalue = textvalue.decode().strip()
-        else:
-            textvalue = textvalue.strip()
-        return textvalue
+        bytesvalue = self._read_values(self.character, nchar).tobytes()
+        return bytesvalue.decode().strip()
 
     def read_integer(self):
         return self._read_values(self.integer, 1)[0]