diff --git a/python/ray/dashboard/dashboard.py b/python/ray/dashboard/dashboard.py
index 83f3b4ed3..2b08f40d5 100644
--- a/python/ray/dashboard/dashboard.py
+++ b/python/ray/dashboard/dashboard.py
@@ -272,7 +272,7 @@ class NodeStats(threading.Thread):
 
         for x in p.listen():
             try:
-                D = json.loads(x["data"])
+                D = json.loads(ray.utils.decode(x["data"]))
                 with self._node_stats_lock:
                     self._node_stats[D["hostname"]] = D
             except Exception: