diff --git a/lib/http/server.js b/lib/http/server.js
index 3c565251..a5e3bd4f 100644
--- a/lib/http/server.js
+++ b/lib/http/server.js
@@ -1159,6 +1159,8 @@ HTTPServer.prototype._initIO = function _initIO() {
       if (!utils.isHex256(token))
         return callback({ error: 'Invalid parameter.' });
 
+      token = new Buffer(token, 'hex');
+
       if (socket.api && id === '!all') {
         socket.join(id);
         return callback();