diff --git a/python/obitools3/apps/progress.pxd b/python/obitools3/apps/progress.pxd
index cbf7846..f8a3906 100644
--- a/python/obitools3/apps/progress.pxd
+++ b/python/obitools3/apps/progress.pxd
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ cdef class ProgressBar:
     cdef bint ontty
     cdef int fd
     
-    cdef bytes head
+    cdef bytes _head
     cdef char *chead
     
     cdef object logger
diff --git a/python/obitools3/apps/progress.pyx b/python/obitools3/apps/progress.pyx
index 67789de..d281935 100644
--- a/python/obitools3/apps/progress.pyx
+++ b/python/obitools3/apps/progress.pyx
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ cdef class ProgressBar:
             maxi=1
             
         self.maxi = maxi
-        self._head = str2bytes(head)
+        self.head = head
         self.chead= self._head