diff --git a/elixir/query.py b/elixir/query.py
index 38a31ab..1039df2 100755
--- a/elixir/query.py
+++ b/elixir/query.py
@@ -116,10 +116,10 @@ class Query:
 
             for tag in sorted_tags:
                 if self.db.vers.exists(tag):
-                    return tag
+                    return tag.decode()
 
             # return the oldest tag, even if it does not exist in the database
-            return sorted_tags[-1]
+            return sorted_tags[-1].decode()
 
         elif cmd == 'type':