diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/verify_student/image.py b/lms/djangoapps/verify_student/image.py
index d672f8a69c..77773d2023 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/verify_student/image.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/verify_student/image.py
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ Image encoding helpers for the verification app.
 """
 from __future__ import absolute_import
 
+import base64
 import logging
 
 log = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -30,7 +31,7 @@ def decode_image_data(data):
 
     """
     try:
-        return (data.split(",")[1]).decode("base64")
+        return base64.b64decode(data.split(",")[1])
     except (IndexError, UnicodeEncodeError):
         log.exception("Could not decode image data")
         raise InvalidImageData
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/verify_student/tests/test_views.py b/lms/djangoapps/verify_student/tests/test_views.py
index e85240c474..ca70b38786 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/verify_student/tests/test_views.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/verify_student/tests/test_views.py
@@ -1553,7 +1553,7 @@ class TestSubmitPhotosForVerification(TestCase):
         # Since the user doesn't have an initial verification attempt, this should fail
         response = self._submit_photos(expected_status_code=400, face_image=self.IMAGE_DATA)
         self.assertEqual(
-            response.content,
+            response.content.decode('utf-8'),
             "Photo ID image is required if the user does not have an initial verification attempt."
         )