diff --git a/client_encryption/api_encryption.py b/client_encryption/api_encryption.py
index 51808fc..1b58164 100644
--- a/client_encryption/api_encryption.py
+++ b/client_encryption/api_encryption.py
@@ -107,7 +107,10 @@ def encrypt_jwe_payload(conf, body):
     @staticmethod
     def decrypt_jwe_payload(conf, body):
         decrypted_body = decrypt_jwe(body, conf)
-        payload = json.dumps(decrypted_body).encode('utf-8')
+        try:
+            payload = json.dumps(decrypted_body).encode('utf-8')
+        except:
+            payload = decrypted_body
 
         return payload
 
diff --git a/client_encryption/version.py b/client_encryption/version.py
index 57dd1b5..d1ffdbb 100644
--- a/client_encryption/version.py
+++ b/client_encryption/version.py
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env python
 # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
-__version__ = "1.21.0"
+__version__ = "1.21.1"