diff --git a/server/backend/app/decorators.py b/server/backend/app/decorators.py
index c48041f..dc23255 100644
--- a/server/backend/app/decorators.py
+++ b/server/backend/app/decorators.py
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ def require_header_token(f):
     def decorated(*args, **kwargs):
         try:
             token = request.headers['X-Token']
-            jwt.decode(token, app.config["SECRET_KEY"])
+            jwt.decode(token, app.config["SECRET_KEY"], "HS256")
             return f(*args, **kwargs)
         except:
             return jsonify({"message": "JWT verification failed"})
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ def require_get_token(f):
     def decorated(*args, **kwargs):
         try:
             token = request.args.get("token")
-            jwt.decode(token, app.config["SECRET_KEY"])
+            jwt.decode(token, app.config["SECRET_KEY"], "HS256")
             return f(*args, **kwargs)
         except:
             return jsonify({"message": "JWT verification failed"})
diff --git a/server/backend/main.py b/server/backend/main.py
index 5ea6b3a..b081caf 100644
--- a/server/backend/main.py
+++ b/server/backend/main.py
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ def get_token():
     """
     token = jwt.encode({"exp": datetime.datetime.now() +
                         datetime.timedelta(hours=24)}, app.config["SECRET_KEY"])
-    return jsonify({"token": token.decode("utf8")})
+    return jsonify({"token": token})
 
 
 @app.route("/<p>/<path:path>", methods=["GET"])