diff --git a/lib/spring/json.rb b/lib/spring/json.rb
index d4d71b6e..58a8206c 100644
--- a/lib/spring/json.rb
+++ b/lib/spring/json.rb
@@ -364,7 +364,8 @@ def unquote(q)
             end
           end
           if rubydoesenc?
-            a[w] = '' << uchar
+            a[w] = '' 
+            a[w] += uchar
             w += 1
           else
             w += ucharenc(a, w, uchar)