diff --git a/reputation/db/mongo.py b/reputation/db/mongo.py
index 5180942..1ae6754 100644
--- a/reputation/db/mongo.py
+++ b/reputation/db/mongo.py
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ def _build_file_document(input_dict):
             :return: A dictionary ready to be pushed into the file collection
         """
         current_ts = int(time.time() * 100)
-        raw_hash = hashlib.sha256(input_dict['raw']).hexdigest()
+        raw_hash = hashlib.sha256(input_dict['raw'].encode()).hexdigest()
         rnd_val = random.randint(10000, 99999)
 
         filename = '{}-{}-{}'.format(current_ts, raw_hash, rnd_val)