diff --git a/core/src/main/java/com/google/zxing/common/ECIStringBuilder.java b/core/src/main/java/com/google/zxing/common/ECIStringBuilder.java
index a4a2968d1..c9479746b 100644
--- a/core/src/main/java/com/google/zxing/common/ECIStringBuilder.java
+++ b/core/src/main/java/com/google/zxing/common/ECIStringBuilder.java
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ public final class ECIStringBuilder {
    * @param value character whose lowest byte is to be appended
    */
   public void append(char value) {
-    currentBytes.append((char) (value & 0xff));
+    currentBytes.append(value);
   }
 
   /**