diff --git a/rapids/models.py b/rapids/models.py
index 438eb433..b8873759 100644
--- a/rapids/models.py
+++ b/rapids/models.py
@@ -458,7 +458,7 @@ class RapidImage(models.Model):
             # Try and read the file as a dicom
             try:
                 # and generate a hash from the pixel data
-                hash = ",".join(pydicom.dcmread(self.image.path).pixel_array.tostring())
+                hash = hashlib.md5(",".join(pydicom.dcmread(self.image.path).pixel_array.tostring())).hexdigest()
                 self.is_dicom = True
             except pydicom.errors.InvalidDicomError:
                 self.image.file.open()