diff --git a/lang/py/avro/ipc.py b/lang/py/avro/ipc.py
index 20554d4b1de..3562c33c6bf 100644
--- a/lang/py/avro/ipc.py
+++ b/lang/py/avro/ipc.py
@@ -405,14 +405,14 @@ def read_framed_message(self):
                 return b"".join(message)
             while buffer.tell() < buffer_length:
                 chunk = self.reader.read(buffer_length - buffer.tell())
-                if chunk == "":
+                if chunk == b"":
                     raise avro.errors.ConnectionClosedException("Reader read 0 bytes.")
                 buffer.write(chunk)
             message.append(buffer.getvalue())
 
     def _read_buffer_length(self):
         read = self.reader.read(BUFFER_HEADER_LENGTH)
-        if read == "":
+        if read == b"":
             raise avro.errors.ConnectionClosedException("Reader read 0 bytes.")
         return BIG_ENDIAN_INT_STRUCT.unpack(read)[0]