diff --git a/gluon/tests/test_validators.py b/gluon/tests/test_validators.py
index e534fbd8..36bf454e 100644
--- a/gluon/tests/test_validators.py
+++ b/gluon/tests/test_validators.py
@@ -444,6 +444,8 @@ class TestValidators(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(rtn, (None, 'Enter a value'))
         rtn = IS_NOT_EMPTY()('')
         self.assertEqual(rtn, ('', 'Enter a value'))
+        rtn = IS_NOT_EMPTY()(b'')
+        self.assertEqual(rtn, (b'', 'Enter a value'))
         rtn = IS_NOT_EMPTY()('  ')
         self.assertEqual(rtn, ('  ', 'Enter a value'))
         rtn = IS_NOT_EMPTY()(' \n\t')
diff --git a/gluon/validators.py b/gluon/validators.py
index 1d9dddcf..21de1ce2 100644
--- a/gluon/validators.py
+++ b/gluon/validators.py
@@ -996,7 +996,7 @@ def is_empty(value, empty_regex=None):
         value = value.strip()
         if empty_regex is not None and empty_regex.match(value):
             value = ''
-    if value is None or value == '' or value == []:
+    if value is None or value == '' or value == b'' or value == []:
         return (_value, True)
     return (_value, False)