diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index 4ad7196d2d51..249ccb40e0c2 100644
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ def copy_to_module():
     print(f"Changed {len(lines_changed)} lines to accommodate for imports.")
 
 
-with open("README.md", "r") as fh:
+with open("README.md", "r", encoding="utf8") as fh:
     long_description = fh.read()
 
 with pathlib.Path('requirements.txt').open() as requirements_txt: