diff --git a/lemur/certificates/service.py b/lemur/certificates/service.py
index 45f0f266..b8ca6b6e 100644
--- a/lemur/certificates/service.py
+++ b/lemur/certificates/service.py
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ def mint(issuer_options):
     if not issuer_options.get('csr'):
         csr, private_key = create_csr(issuer_options)
     else:
-        csr = issuer_options.get('csr')
+        csr = str(issuer_options.get('csr'))
         private_key = None
 
     issuer_options['creator'] = g.user.email
diff --git a/lemur/certificates/views.py b/lemur/certificates/views.py
index d31f304b..b6ddd5ce 100644
--- a/lemur/certificates/views.py
+++ b/lemur/certificates/views.py
@@ -232,7 +232,7 @@ class CertificatesList(AuthenticatedResource):
                 "owner": "bob@example.com",
                 "description": "test",
                 "selectedAuthority": "timetest2",
-                "csr",
+                "csr": "----BEGIN CERTIFICATE REQUEST-----...",
                 "authority": {
                     "body": "-----BEGIN...",
                     "name": "timetest2",