diff --git a/exercises/11-Packet-Loss-Detection/packet-loss-controller.py b/exercises/11-Packet-Loss-Detection/packet-loss-controller.py
index fe42174..e3396c6 100644
--- a/exercises/11-Packet-Loss-Detection/packet-loss-controller.py
+++ b/exercises/11-Packet-Loss-Detection/packet-loss-controller.py
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ def recv_msg_cpu(self, pkt):
         switch_name = interface.split("-")[0]
         packet = Ether(str(pkt))
         if packet.type == 0x1234:
-            loss_header = LossHeader(packet.payload)
+            loss_header = LossHeader(bytes(packet.payload))
             batch_id = loss_header.batch_id >> 7
             print switch_name, batch_id
 
diff --git a/exercises/11-Packet-Loss-Detection/solution/packet-loss-controller.py b/exercises/11-Packet-Loss-Detection/solution/packet-loss-controller.py
index ad79f39..179f197 100644
--- a/exercises/11-Packet-Loss-Detection/solution/packet-loss-controller.py
+++ b/exercises/11-Packet-Loss-Detection/solution/packet-loss-controller.py
@@ -225,7 +225,7 @@ def recv_msg_cpu(self, pkt):
         switch_name = interface.split("-")[0]
         packet = Ether(str(pkt))
         if packet.type == 0x1234:
-            loss_header = LossHeader(packet.payload)
+            loss_header = LossHeader(bytes(packet.payload))
             batch_id = loss_header.batch_id >> 7
             print switch_name, batch_id
             self.check_sw_links(switch_name, batch_id)