diff --git a/defender/tests.py b/defender/tests.py
index 72e2287..34cd4cb 100644
--- a/defender/tests.py
+++ b/defender/tests.py
@@ -75,6 +75,26 @@ class AccessAttemptTest(DefenderTestCase):
             password=VALID_PASSWORD,
         )
 
+    def test_data_integrity_of_get_blocked_ips(self):
+        """ Test whether data retrieved from redis via
+        get_blocked_ips() is the same as the data saved
+        """
+        data_in = ['127.0.0.1', '4.2.2.1']
+        for ip in data_in:
+            utils.block_ip(ip)
+        data_out = utils.get_blocked_ips()
+        self.assertEqual(sorted(data_in), sorted(data_out))
+
+    def test_data_integrity_of_get_blocked_usernames(self):
+        """ Test whether data retrieved from redis via
+        get_blocked_usernames() is the same as the data saved
+        """
+        data_in = ['foo', 'bar']
+        for username in data_in:
+            utils.block_username(username)
+        data_out = utils.get_blocked_usernames()
+        self.assertEqual(sorted(data_in), sorted(data_out))
+
     def test_login_get(self):
         """ visit the login page """
         response = self.client.get(ADMIN_LOGIN_URL)
diff --git a/defender/utils.py b/defender/utils.py
index aebf934..dbd40b8 100644
--- a/defender/utils.py
+++ b/defender/utils.py
@@ -88,14 +88,16 @@ def strip_keys(key_list):
 def get_blocked_ips():
     """ get a list of blocked ips from redis """
     key = get_ip_blocked_cache_key("*")
-    key_list = REDIS_SERVER.keys(key)
+    key_list = [redis_key.decode('utf-8')
+                for redis_key in REDIS_SERVER.keys(key)]
     return strip_keys(key_list)
 
 
 def get_blocked_usernames():
     """ get a list of blocked usernames from redis """
     key = get_username_blocked_cache_key("*")
-    key_list = REDIS_SERVER.keys(key)
+    key_list = [redis_key.decode('utf-8')
+                for redis_key in REDIS_SERVER.keys(key)]
     return strip_keys(key_list)