--- ./python-inst/lib/python2.6/email/encoders.py	2011-07-29 17:12:56.885718426 +0100
+++ ./python-inst/lib/python2.6/email/encoders.py	2011-07-29 17:13:49.002403445 +0100
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@
     Also, add an appropriate Content-Transfer-Encoding header.
     """
     orig = msg.get_payload()
-    encdata = _bencode(orig)
+    encdata = str(_bencode(orig)).encode('ascii')
     msg.set_payload(encdata)
     msg['Content-Transfer-Encoding'] = 'base64'