diff --git a/src/ezfio-head.py b/src/ezfio-head.py
index c7553f5..b896865 100644
--- a/src/ezfio-head.py
+++ b/src/ezfio-head.py
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ def get_conv(type):
       else:
         raise TypeError
   elif type == "ch":
-    conv = lambda x: x.decode('utf-8').strip()
+    conv = lambda x: x.decode('utf-8').strip() if isinstance(x,bytes) else x.strip()
   else:
     raise TypeError
   return conv
diff --git a/version b/version
index ccb0cb1..c230126 100644
--- a/version
+++ b/version
@@ -1 +1 @@
-VERSION=2.0.2
+VERSION=2.0.3