diff --git a/Xlib/protocol/rq.py b/Xlib/protocol/rq.py
index 86cb2def..2b19290a 100644
--- a/Xlib/protocol/rq.py
+++ b/Xlib/protocol/rq.py
@@ -693,7 +693,8 @@ def pack_value(self, value):
                 val = list(val)
 
             size = fmt // 8
-            a = array(array_unsigned_codes[size], val)
+            a = array(array_unsigned_codes[size])
+            a.frombytes(val.encode())
             data = encode_array(a)
             dlen = len(val)