diff --git a/MP1/server.py b/MP1/server.py
index d7b2253..3598aaa 100644
--- a/MP1/server.py
+++ b/MP1/server.py
@@ -38,13 +38,15 @@ while True:
     print(f"Connected by {addr}")
 
     command = receive_message(conn)
-    # print("Received Grep Command:", command.decode())
+    if command is None:
+        conn.close()
+        continue
 
-    command_args = shlex.split(command.decode())
+    command_args = shlex.split(command)
 
     if not command_args or command_args[0] != "grep":
         response = "Invalid command. Please use the 'grep' command."
-        conn.sendall(response.encode())
+        send_message(conn, response)
         conn.close()
         continue