diff --git a/tests/test_manager.py b/tests/test_manager.py
index ab78e7ca..f0af42df 100644
--- a/tests/test_manager.py
+++ b/tests/test_manager.py
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ from __future__ import unicode_literals
 import json
 
 from django.contrib.auth.models import User, Group
+from django.utils.encoding import force_text
 from django.utils.timezone import make_aware, now, localtime
 import datetime
 import mock
@@ -1531,7 +1532,7 @@ def test_import_agenda(app, admin_user):
     assert Agenda.objects.count() == 1
 
     # reference to unknown group
-    agenda_export_dict = json.loads(agenda_export)
+    agenda_export_dict = json.loads(force_text(agenda_export))
     agenda_export_dict['agendas'][0]['permissions']['view'] = u'gé1'
     agenda_export = json.dumps(agenda_export_dict).encode('utf-8')
     Agenda.objects.all().delete()