diff --git a/src/krux/bbqr.py b/src/krux/bbqr.py
index 045a73ae..b998d3e9 100644
--- a/src/krux/bbqr.py
+++ b/src/krux/bbqr.py
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ def deflate_compress(data):
             d.write(data)
         return stream.getvalue()
     except:
-        raise ValueError("Error decompressing BBQR")
+        raise ValueError("Error compressing BBQR")
 
 
 def deflate_decompress(data):
diff --git a/src/krux/wallet.py b/src/krux/wallet.py
index 9e48d8cb..6b7b8404 100644
--- a/src/krux/wallet.py
+++ b/src/krux/wallet.py
@@ -150,7 +150,12 @@ def wallet_qr(self):
         if self.wallet_qr_format == FORMAT_BBQR:
             from .bbqr import encode_bbqr
 
-            return encode_bbqr(self.wallet_data, file_type="U"), FORMAT_BBQR
+            wallet_data = (
+                self.wallet_data.encode("utf-8")
+                if isinstance(self.wallet_data, str)
+                else self.wallet_data
+            )
+            return encode_bbqr(wallet_data, file_type="U"), FORMAT_BBQR
         return (self.wallet_data, self.wallet_qr_format)
 
     def obtain_addresses(self, i=0, limit=None, branch_index=0):