diff --git a/pandora_client/__init__.py b/pandora_client/__init__.py
index 2eefd7b..8eb4716 100755
--- a/pandora_client/__init__.py
+++ b/pandora_client/__init__.py
@@ -225,7 +225,10 @@ class Client(object):
                     encode = module.encode
 
     def _conn(self):
-        db_conn = os.path.expanduser(self._config['cache'])
+        db_conn = self._config['cache']
+        if isinstance(db_conn, str):
+            db_conn = db_conn.decode('utf-8')
+        db_conn = os.path.expanduser(db_conn)
         if not os.path.exists(os.path.dirname(db_conn)):
             os.makedirs(os.path.dirname(db_conn))
         conn = sqlite3.connect(db_conn, timeout=10)