diff --git a/beetsplug/convert.py b/beetsplug/convert.py
index 1a5574460..e086572e3 100644
--- a/beetsplug/convert.py
+++ b/beetsplug/convert.py
@@ -126,6 +126,7 @@ def convert_func(lib, opts, args):
             config['convert']['dest'].get()
     if not dest:
         raise ui.UserError('no convert destination set')
+    dest = util.bytestring_path(dest)
     threads = opts.threads if opts.threads is not None else \
             config['convert']['threads'].get(int)
     keep_new = opts.keep_new