diff --git a/util/data_object.py b/util/data_object.py
index f8c3cb2ae..10f1bee39 100644
--- a/util/data_object.py
+++ b/util/data_object.py
@@ -151,9 +151,12 @@ def read(ctx, path, max_size=constants.IIDATA_MAX_SLURP_SIZE):
 
     buf = ret['arguments'][2]
 
+    # Convert BytesBuffer to string.
+    ret_val = msi.bytes_buf_to_str(ctx, buf, "")
+    output = ret_val["arguments"][1]
     msi.data_obj_close(ctx, handle, 0)
 
-    return ''.join(buf.buf[:buf.len])
+    return output
 
 
 def copy(ctx, path_org, path_copy, force=True):
diff --git a/util/msi.py b/util/msi.py
index 42170467c..74bfa7c9f 100644
--- a/util/msi.py
+++ b/util/msi.py
@@ -111,6 +111,7 @@ def _make_exception(name, message):
 get_obj_type,     GetObjTypeError     = make('GetObjType',     'Could not get object type')
 mod_avu_metadata, ModAVUMetadataError = make('ModAVUMetadata', 'Could not modify AVU metadata')
 stat_vault,       MSIStatVaultError   = make("_stat_vault",    'Could not stat file system object in vault.')
+bytes_buf_to_str, BytesBufToStr       = make('BytesBufToStr',  'Could not write bytes buffer to string')
 
 # The file checksum microservice should not be invoked directly. This microservice should be invoked via wrap_file_checksum.r wrapper.
 file_checksum,    FileChecksumError   = make("_file_checksum", 'Could not calculate non-persistent checksum of vault file.')