diff --git a/shadowsocks/server.py b/shadowsocks/server.py
index f4dfdd5..c18ad1c 100755
--- a/shadowsocks/server.py
+++ b/shadowsocks/server.py
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ if __name__ == '__main__':
     sys.path.insert(0, os.path.join(file_path, '../'))
 
 from shadowsocks import shell, daemon, eventloop, tcprelay, udprelay, \
-    asyncdns, manager
+    asyncdns, manager, common
 
 
 def main():
@@ -86,16 +86,16 @@ def main():
         bindv6 = config.get("out_bindv6", '')
         if type(password_obfs) == list:
             password = password_obfs[0]
-            obfs = password_obfs[1]
+            obfs = common.to_str(password_obfs[1])
             if len(password_obfs) > 2:
-                protocol = password_obfs[2]
+                protocol = common.to_str(password_obfs[2])
         elif type(password_obfs) == dict:
             password = password_obfs.get('password', config_password)
-            method = password_obfs.get('method', method)
-            protocol = password_obfs.get('protocol', protocol)
-            protocol_param = password_obfs.get('protocol_param', protocol_param)
-            obfs = password_obfs.get('obfs', obfs)
-            obfs_param = password_obfs.get('obfs_param', obfs_param)
+            method = common.to_str(password_obfs.get('method', method))
+            protocol = common.to_str(password_obfs.get('protocol', protocol))
+            protocol_param = common.to_str(password_obfs.get('protocol_param', protocol_param))
+            obfs = common.to_str(password_obfs.get('obfs', obfs))
+            obfs_param = common.to_str(password_obfs.get('obfs_param', obfs_param))
             bind = password_obfs.get('out_bind', bind)
             bindv6 = password_obfs.get('out_bindv6', bindv6)
         else: