diff --git a/python/google/protobuf/text_format.py b/python/google/protobuf/text_format.py
index 5e4d10b158..950bec16fb 100755
--- a/python/google/protobuf/text_format.py
+++ b/python/google/protobuf/text_format.py
@@ -92,10 +92,7 @@ def MessageToString(message, as_utf8=False, as_one_line=False,
   Returns:
     A string of the text formatted protocol buffer message.
   """
-  if as_utf8:
-    out = io.BytesIO()
-  else:
-    out = io.BytesIO()
+  out = io.BytesIO()
   PrintMessage(message, out, as_utf8=as_utf8, as_one_line=as_one_line,
                pointy_brackets=pointy_brackets,
                use_index_order=use_index_order,