diff --git a/electrum/gui/qt/__init__.py b/electrum/gui/qt/__init__.py
index 1e1d36603..00eb5d34e 100644
--- a/electrum/gui/qt/__init__.py
+++ b/electrum/gui/qt/__init__.py
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ class OpenFileEventFilter(QObject):
     def eventFilter(self, obj, event):
         if event.type() == QtCore.QEvent.FileOpen:
             if len(self.windows) >= 1:
-                self.windows[0].pay_to_URI(event.url().toEncoded())
+                self.windows[0].pay_to_URI(event.url().toString())
                 return True
         return False