diff --git a/utils/lit/lit/formats/googletest.py b/utils/lit/lit/formats/googletest.py
index 1b5b7856456..59ac3c5cb37 100644
--- a/utils/lit/lit/formats/googletest.py
+++ b/utils/lit/lit/formats/googletest.py
@@ -31,7 +31,6 @@ class GoogleTest(TestFormat):
         try:
             lines = lit.util.capture([path, '--gtest_list_tests'],
                                      env=localConfig.environment)
-            lines = lines.decode('utf-8')
             if kIsWindows:
               lines = lines.replace('\r', '')
             lines = lines.split('\n')