diff --git a/dockers/docker-database/flush_unused_database b/dockers/docker-database/flush_unused_database
index e253bc2a4c5..b1d4af06386 100755
--- a/dockers/docker-database/flush_unused_database
+++ b/dockers/docker-database/flush_unused_database
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ import subprocess
 import time
 
 while(True):
-    output = subprocess.Popen(['sonic-db-cli', 'PING'], stdout=subprocess.PIPE).communicate()[0]
+    output = subprocess.Popen(['sonic-db-cli', 'PING'], stdout=subprocess.PIPE, text=True).communicate()[0]
     if 'PONG' in output:
         break
     time.sleep(1)