diff --git a/selfdrive/thermald.py b/selfdrive/thermald.py
index ccea40d3d..6a4f23c4a 100755
--- a/selfdrive/thermald.py
+++ b/selfdrive/thermald.py
@@ -325,8 +325,8 @@ def thermald_thread():
     # update variable status every 10 secs
     if ts - ts_last_update_vars > 10.:
       dragon_charging_ctrl = True if params.get('DragonChargingCtrl', encoding='utf8') == "1" else False
-      dragon_charging_max = int(params.get('DragonCharging'))
-      dragon_discharging_min = int(params.get('DragonDisCharging'))
+      dragon_charging_max = int(params.get('DragonCharging', encoding='utf8'))
+      dragon_discharging_min = int(params.get('DragonDisCharging', encoding='utf8'))
       ts_last_update_vars = ts
 
     # we only update charging status once every min