diff --git a/core/src/main/groovy/com/muwire/core/connection/Connection.groovy b/core/src/main/groovy/com/muwire/core/connection/Connection.groovy
index 8fdc2014..59cd9a09 100644
--- a/core/src/main/groovy/com/muwire/core/connection/Connection.groovy
+++ b/core/src/main/groovy/com/muwire/core/connection/Connection.groovy
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ abstract class Connection implements Closeable {
         query.uuid = e.searchEvent.getUuid()
         query.firstHop = e.firstHop
         query.keywords = e.searchEvent.getSearchTerms()
-        query.infohash = e.searchEvent.searchHash
+        query.infohash = Base64.encode(e.searchEvent.searchHash)
         query.replyTo = e.replyTo.toBase64()
         if (e.originator != null)
             query.originator = e.originator.toBase64()