diff --git a/source/carla_database.py b/source/carla_database.py
index 8c034000f..22fa806ea 100755
--- a/source/carla_database.py
+++ b/source/carla_database.py
@@ -1255,7 +1255,7 @@ class PluginDatabaseW(QDialog):
     def loadSettings(self):
         settings = QSettings("falkTX", "CarlaDatabase2")
         self.restoreGeometry(settings.value("PluginDatabase/Geometry", b""))
-        self.ui.tableWidget.horizontalHeader().restoreState(settings.value("PluginDatabase/TableGeometry%s" % ("_5" if config_UseQt5 else "_4"), ""))
+        self.ui.tableWidget.horizontalHeader().restoreState(settings.value("PluginDatabase/TableGeometry%s" % ("_5" if config_UseQt5 else "_4"), b""))
         self.ui.ch_effects.setChecked(settings.value("PluginDatabase/ShowEffects", True, type=bool))
         self.ui.ch_instruments.setChecked(settings.value("PluginDatabase/ShowInstruments", True, type=bool))
         self.ui.ch_midi.setChecked(settings.value("PluginDatabase/ShowMIDI", True, type=bool))
diff --git a/source/carla_host.py b/source/carla_host.py
index ac82f5982..9df04801c 100644
--- a/source/carla_host.py
+++ b/source/carla_host.py
@@ -1254,7 +1254,7 @@ class HostWindow(QMainWindow):
             self.ui.toolBar.setVisible(showToolbar)
 
             #if settings.contains("SplitterState"):
-                #self.ui.splitter.restoreState(settings.value("SplitterState", ""))
+                #self.ui.splitter.restoreState(settings.value("SplitterState", b""))
             #else:
                 #self.ui.splitter.setSizes([210, 99999])