diff --git a/docs/changelog.rst b/docs/changelog.rst
index 0a9340929..1478ffd0c 100644
--- a/docs/changelog.rst
+++ b/docs/changelog.rst
@@ -18,6 +18,9 @@ To update |kitty|, :doc:`follow the instructions <binary>`.
 - Allow specifying the previously active tab or the tab to the left/right of
   the active tab
 
+- broadcast kitten: Fix a regression in ``0.20.0`` that broke sending of some
+  keys, such as backspace
+
 
 0.22.0 [2021-07-26]
 ----------------------
diff --git a/kitty/rc/send_text.py b/kitty/rc/send_text.py
index 917f6ad5e..43f3bcf5b 100644
--- a/kitty/rc/send_text.py
+++ b/kitty/rc/send_text.py
@@ -145,8 +145,8 @@ Do not send text to the active window, even if it is one of the matched windows.
         elif encoding == 'base64':
             data = base64.standard_b64decode(q)
         elif encoding == 'kitty-key':
-            data = base64.standard_b64decode(q)
-            data = decode_key_event_as_window_system_key(data)
+            bdata = base64.standard_b64decode(q)
+            data = decode_key_event_as_window_system_key(bdata.decode('ascii'))
         else:
             raise TypeError(f'Invalid encoding for send-text data: {encoding}')
         exclude_active = payload_get('exclude_active')