diff --git a/zulip_botserver/zulip_botserver/server.py b/zulip_botserver/zulip_botserver/server.py
index 3a1494b..e50fd79 100644
--- a/zulip_botserver/zulip_botserver/server.py
+++ b/zulip_botserver/zulip_botserver/server.py
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ def handle_bot(bot):
     # TODO: Handle stateful bots properly.
     state_handler = StateHandler()
 
-    event = json.loads(request.data)
+    event = request.get_json(force=True)
     message_handler.handle_message(message=event["message"],
                                    bot_handler=restricted_client,
                                    state_handler=state_handler)