diff --git a/resolvers/load.py b/resolvers/load.py
index d51cb4a..56262c7 100644
--- a/resolvers/load.py
+++ b/resolvers/load.py
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ async def load_messages_by(_, info, by, limit: int = 10, offset: int = 0):
     """load :limit messages of :chat_id with :offset"""
     author_id = info.context["author_id"]
     user_chats = (await redis.execute("SMEMBERS", "chats_by_author/" + str(author_id))) or []
-    user_chats = [c.decode() for c in user_chats]
+    user_chats = [c for c in user_chats]
     if user_chats:
         messages = []
         by_chat = by.get("chat")