diff --git a/tensorflow/python/keras/saving/hdf5_format.py b/tensorflow/python/keras/saving/hdf5_format.py
index d3bb10c98d..e89f5356bb 100644
--- a/tensorflow/python/keras/saving/hdf5_format.py
+++ b/tensorflow/python/keras/saving/hdf5_format.py
@@ -659,11 +659,11 @@ def load_weights_from_hdf5_group(f, layers):
           and weights file.
   """
   if 'keras_version' in f.attrs:
-    original_keras_version = f.attrs['keras_version'].decode('utf8')
+    original_keras_version = f.attrs['keras_version']
   else:
     original_keras_version = '1'
   if 'backend' in f.attrs:
-    original_backend = f.attrs['backend'].decode('utf8')
+    original_backend = f.attrs['backend']
   else:
     original_backend = None