diff --git a/ietf/nomcom/management/commands/create_test_nomcom.py b/ietf/nomcom/management/commands/create_test_nomcom.py
index b7c1d8c18a..3365ea8f40 100644
--- a/ietf/nomcom/management/commands/create_test_nomcom.py
+++ b/ietf/nomcom/management/commands/create_test_nomcom.py
@@ -59,6 +59,6 @@ def handle(self, *args, **options):
                                        position__nomcom=nc, position__name='Test Area Director', position__is_iesg_position=True,
                                       )
 
-                self.stdout.write("%s\n" % key)
+                self.stdout.write("%s\n" % key.decode())
                 self.stdout.write("Nomcom 7437 created. The private key can also be found at any time\nin ietf/nomcom/factories.py. Note that it is NOT a secure key.\n")