diff --git a/src/steps/da.py b/src/steps/da.py
index a96ee21..33a2ab7 100644
--- a/src/steps/da.py
+++ b/src/steps/da.py
@@ -4,7 +4,8 @@ from src.steps.common import StepsCommon
 
 
 def prepare_dispersal_data(data):
-    dispersal_data = {"data": data, "metadata": {"app_id": 10, "index": 0}}
+    data_bytes = data.encode("utf-8")
+    dispersal_data = {"data": list(data_bytes), "metadata": {"app_id": 10, "index": 0}}
     return dispersal_data