diff --git a/lb2.py b/lb2.py
index 52a5ffd..0bb688b 100644
--- a/lb2.py
+++ b/lb2.py
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import boto3
+import base64
 from USER_DATA import user_data
 
 # Configuration variables
@@ -169,7 +170,7 @@ def create_launch_template(ec2_client, key_name, security_group_id):
             'InstanceType': INSTANCE_TYPE,
             'SecurityGroupIds': [security_group_id],
             'KeyName': key_name,
-            'UserData': user_data
+            'UserData': base64.b64encode(user_data.encode('utf-8')).decode('utf-8')
         }
     )