diff --git a/can/interfaces/usb2can/usb2canInterface.py b/can/interfaces/usb2can/usb2canInterface.py
index 9d9a68fc6..57c2b330c 100644
--- a/can/interfaces/usb2can/usb2canInterface.py
+++ b/can/interfaces/usb2can/usb2canInterface.py
@@ -114,14 +114,14 @@ def __init__(self, channel, *args, **kwargs):
             br = kwargs["bitrate"]
 
             # max rate is 1000 kbps
-            baudrate = max(1000, int(br/1000))
+            baudrate = min(1000, int(br/1000))
         # set default value
         else:
             baudrate = 500
 
         connector = format_connection_string(deviceID, baudrate)
 
-        self.handle = self.can.open(connector, enable_flags)
+        self.handle = self.can.open(connector.encode('utf-8'), enable_flags)
 
     def send(self, msg, timeout=None):
         tx = message_convert_tx(msg)