diff --git a/shadowsocks/udprelay.py b/shadowsocks/udprelay.py
index a36f98199..96d1fbd4a 100644
--- a/shadowsocks/udprelay.py
+++ b/shadowsocks/udprelay.py
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ def __init__(self, config, dns_resolver, is_local, stat_callback=None):
             self._remote_addr = None
             self._remote_port = None
         self._dns_resolver = dns_resolver
-        self._password = config['password']
+        self._password = common.to_bytes(config['password'])
         self._method = config['method']
         self._timeout = config['timeout']
         self._is_local = is_local