diff --git a/cordiceps.cpp b/cordiceps.cpp
index 94840ee..791e3fa 100644
--- a/cordiceps.cpp
+++ b/cordiceps.cpp
@@ -121,11 +121,11 @@ void decode(const char* pic) {
         }
     }
     UnloadImage(image);
-    std::cout << from_bits(raw_bits).c_str() << std::endl;
+    std::cout << from_bits(raw_bits);
 }
 
 int main(int argc, char** argv) {
-    if(argc < 1) {
+    if(argc <= 1) {
         perror("arguments missing, expected: picture then datafile for coding, picture for decoding");
     }
     if(argc == 3) {