diff --git a/src/main/python/protocol/keyboard_comm.py b/src/main/python/protocol/keyboard_comm.py
index 4351faac8f..d15369a31d 100644
--- a/src/main/python/protocol/keyboard_comm.py
+++ b/src/main/python/protocol/keyboard_comm.py
@@ -139,7 +139,12 @@ def reload_layout(self, sideload_json=None):
                 block += 1
                 sz -= MSG_LEN
 
-            payload = json.loads(lzma.decompress(payload))
+            try:
+                payload = lzma.decompress(payload)
+            except lzma.LZMAError:
+                payload = payload.decode()
+
+            payload = json.loads(payload)
 
         self.check_protocol_version()