@@ -487,7 +487,7 @@ class XDotParser(DotParser):

             if attr in attrs:

                 parser = XDotAttrParser(self, attrs[attr])

                 shapes.extend(parser.parse())

-        url = attrs.get('URL', None)

+        url = attrs.get('URL', None).decode('utf-8')

         node = elements.Node(id, x, y, w, h, shapes, url)

         self.node_by_name[id] = node

         if shapes: