diff --git a/django/contrib/gis/db/models/proxy.py b/django/contrib/gis/db/models/proxy.py
index 91ded31dc0..a866910014 100644
--- a/django/contrib/gis/db/models/proxy.py
+++ b/django/contrib/gis/db/models/proxy.py
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ class GeometryProxy(object):
             # Assigning the SRID to the geometry.
             if value.srid is None:
                 value.srid = self._field.srid
-        elif value is None or isinstance(value, six.string_types + (memoryview,)):
+        elif value is None or isinstance(value, six.string_types + (bytes, memoryview)):
             # Set with None, WKT, HEX, or WKB
             pass
         else:
diff --git a/docs/releases/1.7.2.txt b/docs/releases/1.7.2.txt
index a28a86d551..2736f5ec24 100644
--- a/docs/releases/1.7.2.txt
+++ b/docs/releases/1.7.2.txt
@@ -24,3 +24,5 @@ Bugfixes
 
 * Fixed a :djadmin:`makemessages` regression in 1.7.1 when
   :setting:`STATIC_ROOT` has the default ``None`` value (:ticket:`23717`).
+
+* Added GeoDjango compatibility with mysqlclient database driver.