diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index e9ba328..72f5c0f 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # Created by .ignore support plugin (hsz.mobi)
 ### Custom template
-Python/dev/botconfig.py
+botconfig.py
 libirc.py
 *.bak
 ### Windows template
diff --git a/Python/pycoolq/__init__.py b/Python/pycoolq/__init__.py
index 71c78d2..4232007 100644
--- a/Python/pycoolq/__init__.py
+++ b/Python/pycoolq/__init__.py
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ def __init__(self, py2cqPort, cq2pyPort):
         self.listener.setMessageHandlers(self.messageHandlers)
 
     def send(self, sendMessage):
-        self.sock.send(sendMessage.destinationType + " " + str(sendMessage.destinationID) + " " + quote(sendMessage.content))
+        self.sock.send(sendMessage.destinationType + " " + str(sendMessage.destinationID) + " " + quote(sendMessage.content.encode('utf-8')))
         return 0
 
     def listenerStarter(self):