diff --git a/mercurial/dispatch.py b/mercurial/dispatch.py
--- a/mercurial/dispatch.py
+++ b/mercurial/dispatch.py
@@ -821,9 +821,7 @@ def _dispatch(req):
 
         if options['verbose'] or options['debug'] or options['quiet']:
             for opt in ('verbose', 'debug', 'quiet'):
-                val = str(bool(options[opt]))
-                if pycompat.ispy3:
-                    val = val.encode('ascii')
+                val = pycompat.bytestr(bool(options[opt]))
                 for ui_ in uis:
                     ui_.setconfig('ui', opt, val, '--' + opt)