diff --git a/lib/galaxy/visualization/plugins/interactive_environments.py b/lib/galaxy/visualization/plugins/interactive_environments.py
index b7c1016f41c..180345c7c1b 100644
--- a/lib/galaxy/visualization/plugins/interactive_environments.py
+++ b/lib/galaxy/visualization/plugins/interactive_environments.py
@@ -19,7 +19,10 @@ from galaxy import model, web
 from galaxy.containers import ContainerPort
 from galaxy.containers.docker_model import DockerVolume
 from galaxy.managers import api_keys
-from galaxy.util import string_as_bool_or_none
+from galaxy.util import (
+    string_as_bool_or_none,
+    unicodify
+)
 from galaxy.util.bunch import Bunch
 
 
@@ -432,6 +435,8 @@ class InteractiveEnvironmentRequest(object):
         ))
         p = Popen(raw_cmd, stdout=PIPE, stderr=PIPE, close_fds=True)
         stdout, stderr = p.communicate()
+        stdout = unicodify(stdout)
+        stderr = unicodify(stderr)
         if p.returncode != 0:
             log.error("Container Launch error\n\n%s\n%s" % (stdout, stderr))
             return None