diff --git a/functionaltests/client/base.py b/functionaltests/client/base.py
index e2284e61..e27a8717 100644
--- a/functionaltests/client/base.py
+++ b/functionaltests/client/base.py
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ if os.path.exists('./etc/functional_tests.conf'):
 
 class TestCase(oslotest.BaseTestCase):
     max_payload_size = CONF.keymanager.max_payload_size
-    max_sized_payload = 'a' * max_payload_size
+    max_sized_payload = u'a' * max_payload_size
     oversized_payload = 'a' * (max_payload_size + 1)
     max_field_size = 255
     max_sized_field = 'a' * max_field_size
diff --git a/functionaltests/client/v1/functional/test_secrets.py b/functionaltests/client/v1/functional/test_secrets.py
index b69f6009..552f17a2 100644
--- a/functionaltests/client/v1/functional/test_secrets.py
+++ b/functionaltests/client/v1/functional/test_secrets.py
@@ -26,9 +26,7 @@ secret_create_defaults_data = {
     "algorithm": "aes",
     "bit_length": 256,
     "mode": "cbc",
-    "payload": "gF6+lLoF3ohA9aPRpt+6bQ==",
-    "payload_content_type": "application/octet-stream",
-    "payload_content_encoding": "base64",
+    "payload": "gF6+lLoF3ohA9aPRpt+6bQ=="
 }
 
 secret_create_nones_data = {
@@ -262,6 +260,7 @@ class SecretsTestCase(base.TestCase):
     @testcase.attr('positive')
     def test_secret_create_defaults_valid_payload(self, payload):
         """Create secrets with a various valid payloads."""
+
         test_model = self.behaviors.create_secret(secret_create_defaults_data)
         test_model.payload = payload
 
@@ -269,8 +268,7 @@ class SecretsTestCase(base.TestCase):
         self.assertIsNotNone(secret_ref)
 
         get_resp = self.behaviors.get_secret(secret_ref)
-        self.assertEqual(test_model.payload,
-                         str(base64.b64encode(get_resp.payload)))
+        self.assertEqual(test_model.payload, get_resp.payload)
 
     @utils.parameterized_dataset({
         'array': [['boom']],