diff --git a/salt/runners/survey.py b/salt/runners/survey.py
index 3fd2b1014f7..d7337352f9a 100644
--- a/salt/runners/survey.py
+++ b/salt/runners/survey.py
@@ -171,7 +171,7 @@ def _get_pool_results(*args, **kwargs):
 
     # hash minion return values as a string
     for minion in sorted(minions):
-        digest = hashlib.sha256(str(minions[minion])).hexdigest()
+        digest = hashlib.sha256(str(minions[minion]).encode(__salt_system_encoding__)).hexdigest()
         if digest not in ret:
             ret[digest] = {}
             ret[digest]['pool'] = []