diff --git a/tests/helpers/ptrack_helpers.py b/tests/helpers/ptrack_helpers.py
index ab6bdda6..a141d3f4 100644
--- a/tests/helpers/ptrack_helpers.py
+++ b/tests/helpers/ptrack_helpers.py
@@ -2045,7 +2045,8 @@ class GDBobj:
             stdout=subprocess.PIPE,
             stderr=subprocess.STDOUT,
             bufsize=0,
-            universal_newlines=True
+            text=True,
+            errors='replace',
         )
         self.gdb_pid = self.proc.pid