diff --git a/door_pi_control/nfc.py b/door_pi_control/nfc.py
index 5c80ab7..cf4caf1 100644
--- a/door_pi_control/nfc.py
+++ b/door_pi_control/nfc.py
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ class DoorControlNfc(util.Loggable):
     def _open_nfc_fifo(self) -> IO:
         """Opens config.nfc_fifo as the FIFO through which detected tokens are passed in."""
         self._logger().debug(f"Opening FIFO {self._config.nfc_fifo}")
-        return open(self._config.nfc_fifo, "rb")
+        return open(self._config.nfc_fifo, "r")
 
     def _read_valid_tokens(self) -> Container:
         """Refreshes all tokens from config.valid_tokens"""