diff --git a/src/dynamic_reconfigure/encoding.py b/src/dynamic_reconfigure/encoding.py
index a256b0d2..f58b2a4a 100644
--- a/src/dynamic_reconfigure/encoding.py
+++ b/src/dynamic_reconfigure/encoding.py
@@ -275,6 +275,12 @@ def add_params(group, descr):
     return d 
 
 def decode_config(msg, description = None):
+    if sys.version < '3':
+        for s in msg.strs:
+            try:
+                s.value.decode('ascii')
+            except UnicodeDecodeError:
+                s.value=s.value.decode('utf-8')
     d = Config([(kv.name, kv.value) for kv in msg.bools + msg.ints + msg.strs + msg.doubles])
     if not msg.groups == [] and description is not None:
         d["groups"] = get_tree(msg)
diff --git a/test/simple_python_client_test.py b/test/simple_python_client_test.py
index 81b3b779..99834fb5 100755
--- a/test/simple_python_client_test.py
+++ b/test/simple_python_client_test.py
@@ -80,7 +80,21 @@ def testmultibytestring(self):
 
         config = client.get_configuration(timeout=5)
 
-        self.assertEqual("いろは", config['mstr_'])
+        self.assertEqual(u"いろは", config['mstr_'])
+        self.assertEqual(u"いろは", rospy.get_param('/ref_server/mstr_'))
+
+        str_ = u"にほへ"
+
+        client.update_configuration(
+            {"mstr_": str_}
+        )
+
+        rospy.sleep(1.0)
+
+        config = client.get_configuration(timeout=5)
+
+        self.assertEqual(u"にほへ", config['mstr_'])
+        self.assertEqual(u"にほへ", rospy.get_param('/ref_server/mstr_'))
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     import rostest