diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/instructor/views/api.py b/lms/djangoapps/instructor/views/api.py
index ac12af8673..f44015e93b 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/instructor/views/api.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/instructor/views/api.py
@@ -3273,7 +3273,7 @@ def parse_request_data(request):
     :return: dict object containing parsed json data.
     """
     try:
-        data = json.loads(request.body or '{}')
+        data = json.loads(request.body.decode('utf8') or u'{}')
     except ValueError:
         raise ValueError(_('The record is not in the correct format. Please add a valid username or email address.'))