diff --git a/rapids/models.py b/rapids/models.py
index d456551e..6d68c70b 100644
--- a/rapids/models.py
+++ b/rapids/models.py
@@ -461,11 +461,11 @@ class RapidImage(models.Model):
                 # TODO: improve?
                 dataset = pydicom.dcmread(self.image)
                 print(dataset)
-                flatten = dataset.pixel_array.flatten()
+                flatten = dataset.pixel_array.astype(str).flatten()
                 print("flatteded")
-                pre_join = [str(i) for i in flatten]
-                print(pre_join)
-                hash = hashlib.md5(",".join(pre_join).encode()).hexdigest()
+                #pre_join = [str(i) for i in flatten]
+                #print(pre_join)
+                hash = hashlib.md5(",".join(flatten).encode()).hexdigest()
             
                 self.is_dicom = True
             except pydicom.errors.InvalidDicomError: