diff --git a/mopidy/utils/network.py b/mopidy/utils/network.py
index 3ddfe2ee..604350d1 100644
--- a/mopidy/utils/network.py
+++ b/mopidy/utils/network.py
@@ -317,7 +317,7 @@ class LineProtocol(pykka.ThreadingActor):
         super(LineProtocol, self).__init__()
         self.connection = connection
         self.prevent_timeout = False
-        self.recv_buffer = ''
+        self.recv_buffer = b''
 
         if self.delimiter:
             self.delimiter = re.compile(self.delimiter)