diff -r a1d2fc32bb99 -r d8d06a930d60 hgext/sparse.py
--- a/hgext/sparse.py	Mon Nov 20 23:13:09 2017 -0800
+++ b/hgext/sparse.py	Mon Nov 20 23:23:10 2017 -0800
@@ -82,6 +82,7 @@
     extensions,
     hg,
     match as matchmod,
+    pycompat,
     registrar,
     sparse,
     util,
@@ -286,6 +287,7 @@
 
     Returns 0 if editing the sparse checkout succeeds.
     """
+    opts = pycompat.byteskwargs(opts)
     include = opts.get('include')
     exclude = opts.get('exclude')
     force = opts.get('force')