diff --git a/docs/changelog.rst b/docs/changelog.rst
index 4e3b364f8..ca6611b25 100644
--- a/docs/changelog.rst
+++ b/docs/changelog.rst
@@ -39,6 +39,8 @@ To update |kitty|, :doc:`follow the instructions <binary>`.
 - Dont ignore :option:`--title` when using a session file that defines no
   windows (:iss:`3055`)
 
+- Fix the send_text action not working in URL handlers (:iss:`3081`)
+
 
 0.19.1 [2020-10-06]
 -------------------
diff --git a/kitty/open_actions.py b/kitty/open_actions.py
index 0c6a0532f..408c99502 100644
--- a/kitty/open_actions.py
+++ b/kitty/open_actions.py
@@ -158,8 +158,14 @@ def actions_for_url_from_list(url: str, actions: Iterable[OpenAction]) -> Genera
     }
 
     def expand(x: Any) -> Any:
+        as_bytes = isinstance(x, bytes)
+        if as_bytes:
+            x = x.decode('utf-8')
         if isinstance(x, str):
-            return expandvars(x, env, fallback_to_os_env=False)
+            ans = expandvars(x, env, fallback_to_os_env=False)
+            if as_bytes:
+                return ans.encode('utf-8')
+            return ans
         return x
 
     for action in actions: