diff --git a/selfdrive/manager/manager.py b/selfdrive/manager/manager.py
index c33a34750..e99c3bc3d 100755
--- a/selfdrive/manager/manager.py
+++ b/selfdrive/manager/manager.py
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ def manager_thread():
   params = Params()
 
   ignore = []
-  if params.get("DongleId") == UNREGISTERED_DONGLE_ID:
+  if params.get("DongleId", encoding='utf8') == UNREGISTERED_DONGLE_ID:
     ignore += ["manage_athenad", "uploader"]
   if os.getenv("NOBOARD") is not None:
     ignore.append("pandad")