diff --git a/lib/kestrelClient.js b/lib/kestrelClient.js
index 5445def..579e5f5 100644
--- a/lib/kestrelClient.js
+++ b/lib/kestrelClient.js
@@ -195,7 +195,7 @@ kestrel.prototype.set = function( queue, value, lifetime ){
     }
 
     var command = "SET " + queue + " 0 " + lifetime + " ";
-    command += value.length + "\r\n" + value + "\r\n";
+    command += Buffer.byteLength(value, 'utf8') + "\r\n" + value + "\r\n";
 
     var connection = this._getConnection();
     if( connection != null ){