diff --git a/pyboy/core/sound.py b/pyboy/core/sound.py
index a0f645192..13d3d2750 100644
--- a/pyboy/core/sound.py
+++ b/pyboy/core/sound.py
@@ -41,10 +41,10 @@ def __init__(self, enabled, emulate):
                     self.sample_rate = spec_have.freq
                     self.sampleclocks = CPU_FREQ // self.sample_rate
                 else:
-                    logger.error("SDL_OpenAudioDevice failed: ", sdl2.SDL_GetError().encode())
+                    logger.error("SDL_OpenAudioDevice failed: %s", sdl2.SDL_GetError().decode())
                     self.enabled = False
             else:
-                logger.error("SDL_Init audio failed: ", sdl2.SDL_GetError().encode())
+                logger.error("SDL_Init audio failed: %s", sdl2.SDL_GetError().decode())
                 self.enabled = False
                 self.device = 0