diff --git a/frappe/core/doctype/file/file.py b/frappe/core/doctype/file/file.py
index 837da3056e..47df90d18c 100755
--- a/frappe/core/doctype/file/file.py
+++ b/frappe/core/doctype/file/file.py
@@ -683,7 +683,7 @@ def get_web_image(file_url):
 			frappe.msgprint(_("Unable to read file format for {0}").format(file_url))
 		raise
 
-	image = Image.open(StringIO(str(r.content)))
+	image = Image.open(StringIO(frappe.safe_decode(r.content)))
 
 	try:
 		filename, extn = file_url.rsplit("/", 1)[1].rsplit(".", 1)