diff --git a/apps/accounts/models/base.py b/apps/accounts/models/base.py
index 26ebcd89a..e4bd780ac 100644
--- a/apps/accounts/models/base.py
+++ b/apps/accounts/models/base.py
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ class BaseAccount(JMSOrgBaseModel):
             # It does not require this for old-style PEM keys.
             with open(key_path, 'w') as f:
                 f.write(self.secret)
-                if is_openssh_format_key(self.secret):
+                if is_openssh_format_key(self.secret.encode('utf-8')):
                     f.write("\n")
             os.chmod(key_path, 0o400)
         return key_path
diff --git a/apps/assets/automations/base/manager.py b/apps/assets/automations/base/manager.py
index e9cfb84e3..6660d6e84 100644
--- a/apps/assets/automations/base/manager.py
+++ b/apps/assets/automations/base/manager.py
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ class BasePlaybookManager:
             # It does not require this for old-style PEM keys.
             with open(key_path, 'w') as f:
                 f.write(secret)
-                if is_openssh_format_key(secret):
+                if is_openssh_format_key(secret.encode('utf-8')):
                     f.write("\n")
             os.chmod(key_path, 0o400)
         return key_path