diff --git a/monasca_agent/collector/checks_d/mysql.py b/monasca_agent/collector/checks_d/mysql.py
index 1463449f..8af3dcfa 100644
--- a/monasca_agent/collector/checks_d/mysql.py
+++ b/monasca_agent/collector/checks_d/mysql.py
@@ -370,7 +370,7 @@ class MySql(checks.AgentCheck):
                                            'pid'],
                                           stdout=subprocess.PIPE,
                                           close_fds=True).communicate()[0]
-                    pslines = ps.strip().split('\n')
+                    pslines = ps.decode('utf-8').strip().split('\n')
                     # First line is header, second line is mysql pid
                     if len(pslines) == 2 and pslines[1] != '':
                         pid = int(pslines[1])