diff --git a/docs/parsers/history.md b/docs/parsers/history.md
index 2151e0ff..636862a0 100644
--- a/docs/parsers/history.md
+++ b/docs/parsers/history.md
@@ -87,4 +87,4 @@ Returns:
 ### Parser Information
 Compatibility:  linux, darwin, cygwin, aix, freebsd
 
-Version 1.6 by Kelly Brazil (kellyjonbrazil@gmail.com)
+Version 1.7 by Kelly Brazil (kellyjonbrazil@gmail.com)
diff --git a/jc/parsers/history.py b/jc/parsers/history.py
index adcc7aa9..095f09c1 100644
--- a/jc/parsers/history.py
+++ b/jc/parsers/history.py
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ import jc.utils
 
 class info():
     """Provides parser metadata (version, author, etc.)"""
-    version = '1.6'
+    version = '1.7'
     description = '`history` command parser'
     author = 'Kelly Brazil'
     author_email = 'kellyjonbrazil@gmail.com'
@@ -117,17 +117,14 @@ def parse(data, raw=False, quiet=False):
     raw_output = {}
 
     if jc.utils.has_data(data):
+        linedata = data.splitlines()
 
-        # split lines and clear out any non-ascii chars
-        linedata = data.encode('ascii', errors='ignore').decode().splitlines()
-
-        # Skip any blank lines
         for entry in filter(None, linedata):
             try:
-                parsed_line = entry.split(maxsplit=1)
-                raw_output[parsed_line[0]] = parsed_line[1]
-            except IndexError:
-                # need to catch indexerror in case there is weird input from prior commands
+                number, command = entry.split(maxsplit=1)
+                raw_output[number] = command
+            except ValueError:
+                # need to catch ValueError in case there is weird input from prior commands
                 pass
 
     if raw: