diff --git a/internal/server/live.go b/internal/server/live.go
index 0331594a..ab1d6410 100644
--- a/internal/server/live.go
+++ b/internal/server/live.go
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import (
 	"net"
 	"sync"
 
+	"github.com/tidwall/redcon"
 	"github.com/tidwall/tile38/internal/log"
 )
 
@@ -160,9 +161,9 @@ func (server *Server) goLive(
 	var livemsg []byte
 	switch outputType {
 	case JSON:
-		livemsg = []byte(`{"ok":true,"live":true}`)
+		livemsg = redcon.AppendBulkString(nil, `{"ok":true,"live":true}`)
 	case RESP:
-		livemsg = []byte("+OK\r\n")
+		livemsg = redcon.AppendOK(nil)
 	}
 	if err := writeLiveMessage(conn, livemsg, false, connType, websocket); err != nil {
 		return nil // nil return is fine here
diff --git a/internal/server/pubsub.go b/internal/server/pubsub.go
index d6d8ff3e..4cdf0b8f 100644
--- a/internal/server/pubsub.go
+++ b/internal/server/pubsub.go
@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@ func (c *Server) liveSubscription(
 	write := func(data []byte) {
 		writeLock.Lock()
 		defer writeLock.Unlock()
-		writeLiveMessage(conn, data, false, connType, websocket)
+		writeLiveMessage(conn, data, outputType == JSON, connType, websocket)
 	}
 	writeOK := func() {
 		switch outputType {