diff --git a/selfdrive/car/tesla/carstate.py b/selfdrive/car/tesla/carstate.py
index 226feaf4a7a39a..e838944225a50a 100644
--- a/selfdrive/car/tesla/carstate.py
+++ b/selfdrive/car/tesla/carstate.py
@@ -250,6 +250,8 @@ def __init__(self, CP):
     # Tesla Model
     self.teslaModelDetected = 1
     self.teslaModel = read_db('/data/params','TeslaModel')
+    if self.teslaModel is not None:
+      self.teslaModel = self.teslaModel.decode()
     if self.teslaModel is None:
       self.teslaModel = "S"
       self.teslaModelDetected = 0
diff --git a/selfdrive/car/tesla/interface.py b/selfdrive/car/tesla/interface.py
index 8b6e1d03364bbf..270ca8db2528ef 100644
--- a/selfdrive/car/tesla/interface.py
+++ b/selfdrive/car/tesla/interface.py
@@ -103,6 +103,8 @@ def get_params(candidate, fingerprint, vin="", is_panda_black=False):
     ret.isPandaBlack = is_panda_black
 
     teslaModel = read_db('/data/params','TeslaModel')
+    if teslaModel is not None:
+      teslaModel = teslaModel.decode()
     if teslaModel is None:
       teslaModel = "S"