diff --git a/src/ast/seq_decl_plugin.cpp b/src/ast/seq_decl_plugin.cpp
index 8536583e6..5213bbba9 100644
--- a/src/ast/seq_decl_plugin.cpp
+++ b/src/ast/seq_decl_plugin.cpp
@@ -503,7 +503,7 @@ func_decl * seq_decl_plugin::mk_func_decl(decl_kind k, unsigned num_parameters,
         if (!(num_parameters == 1 && parameters[0].is_int())) 
             m.raise_exception("character literal expects integer parameter");
         zstring zs(parameters[0].get_int());        
-        parameter p(zs.encode());
+        parameter p(zs);
         return m.mk_const_decl(m_stringc_sym, m_string,func_decl_info(m_family_id, OP_STRING_CONST, 1, &p));
     }