diff --git a/server/game/lobby.py b/server/game/lobby.py
index ed09a8d..589d475 100644
--- a/server/game/lobby.py
+++ b/server/game/lobby.py
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ class LobbyManager(ClientManager):
             data["extra"] = extras
 
         print(f"MSGOUT|{sid} ({to.name}), {data}")
-        await self.sio.emit('messageChannel', json.dumps(data, ensure_ascii=False).encode("utf8"), room=sid)
+        await self.sio.emit('messageChannel', json.dumps(data), room=sid)
 
     async def handle_message(self, sid, data):
         message = None