diff --git a/net/test/policy_crash_test.py b/net/test/policy_crash_test.py
index ad1b92a..2771475 100755
--- a/net/test/policy_crash_test.py
+++ b/net/test/policy_crash_test.py
@@ -70,6 +70,7 @@
 
 # ----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
+import binascii
 import os
 import socket
 import unittest
@@ -126,8 +127,8 @@
          + pkt2_frag_payload)
 
     s = socket.socket(socket.AF_INET6, socket.SOCK_RAW, socket.IPPROTO_RAW)
-    s.sendto(pkt1.decode('hex'), ('::1', 0))
-    s.sendto(pkt2.decode('hex'), ('::1', 0))
+    s.sendto(binascii.unhexlify(pkt1), ('::1', 0))
+    s.sendto(binascii.unhexlify(pkt2), ('::1', 0))
     s.close()