diff --git a/adafruit_atecc/adafruit_atecc.py b/adafruit_atecc/adafruit_atecc.py
index 186d4f1..be44f21 100755
--- a/adafruit_atecc/adafruit_atecc.py
+++ b/adafruit_atecc/adafruit_atecc.py
@@ -211,8 +211,8 @@ def serial_number(self):
         serial_num[8] = temp_sn[0]
         time.sleep(0.001)
         # neaten up the serial for printing
-        serial_num = hexlify(serial_num).decode("utf-8")
-        serial_num = str(serial_num).upper()
+        serial_num = str(hexlify(serial_num), "utf-8")
+        serial_num = serial_num.upper()
         return serial_num
 
     def version(self):