diff --git a/lib/binary/string.go b/lib/binary/string.go
index f94ef28894..abe6618a14 100644
--- a/lib/binary/string.go
+++ b/lib/binary/string.go
@@ -18,22 +18,9 @@
 package binary
 
 import (
-	"reflect"
 	"unsafe"
 )
 
-// Copied from https://github.com/m3db/m3/blob/master/src/x/unsafe/string.go#L62
-
 func unsafeStr2Bytes(str string) []byte {
-	if len(str) == 0 {
-		return nil
-	}
-	var scratch []byte
-	{
-		slice := (*reflect.SliceHeader)(unsafe.Pointer(&scratch))
-		slice.Len = len(str)
-		slice.Cap = len(str)
-		slice.Data = (*reflect.StringHeader)(unsafe.Pointer(&str)).Data
-	}
-	return scratch
+	return unsafe.Slice(unsafe.StringData(str), len(str))
 }