diff --git a/erpnext/utilities/user_progress_utils.py b/erpnext/utilities/user_progress_utils.py
index 18d38c0fe80..58a03e3af3d 100644
--- a/erpnext/utilities/user_progress_utils.py
+++ b/erpnext/utilities/user_progress_utils.py
@@ -40,12 +40,12 @@ def create_customers(args_data):
 @frappe.whitelist()
 def create_letterhead(args_data):
 	args = json.loads(args_data)
-	letterhead = args.get("letterhead").encode('utf-8')
+	letterhead = args.get("letterhead")
 	if letterhead:
 		try:
 			frappe.get_doc({
 					"doctype":"Letter Head",
-					"content":"""<div><img src="{0}" style='max-width: 100%%;'><br></div>""".format(letterhead),
+					"content":"""<div><img src="{0}" style='max-width: 100%%;'><br></div>""".format(letterhead.encode('utf-8')),
 					"letter_head_name": _("Standard"),
 					"is_default": 1
 			}).insert()