diff --git a/characterai/aiocai/methods/chat2.py b/characterai/aiocai/methods/chat2.py
index edfd716..04d9591 100644
--- a/characterai/aiocai/methods/chat2.py
+++ b/characterai/aiocai/methods/chat2.py
@@ -266,7 +266,7 @@ async def new_chat(
         Returns:
             :obj:`~characterai.types.chat2.BotAnswer`
         """
-        chat_id = str(uuid.uuid4()) or chat_id
+        chat_id = chat_id or uuid.uuid4().hex
 
         if isinstance(creator_id, int):
             creator_id = str(creator_id)
@@ -460,4 +460,4 @@ async def __aexit__(self, *args):
         await self.close()
 
     async def close(self):
-        return await self.ws.close()
\ No newline at end of file
+        return await self.ws.close()